The NRI Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 30 October 2023.
From gold jewellery gifted at weddings to investments in gold coins, Indians have a deep-seated affection for the yellow metal, driven by several factors.
A significant advantage of gold as an asset is its high liquidity and portability. It can be easily converted to cash in emergencies and readily exchanged as needed.
Indian expatriates, in particular, have a penchant for purchasing gold from abroad due to its lower prices and superior quality. Nevertheless, in recent years, stringent conditions and customs duties on gold imports have dissuaded many from bringing gold to India.
This article explains the Indian Customs gold duty, the latest rules, regulations, and procedures to follow while taking gold in and out of India.
Table of Contents
The below information has been prepared after studying the Indian Baggage Rules and traveller guidelines issued by the Central Board of Indirect Customs and Taxes.
Indian Customs Gold Duty Rules
To answer your questions, we will divide this into two parts:
- Part 1: Carrying gold to India during travel (duty-free allowance)
- Part 2: Importing gold to India as baggage (by paying customs duty)
Part 1: Carrying Gold To India During Travel
Let’s start with the most obvious question:
1. Is carrying gold to India legal?
Yes, it is entirely legal for Indian nationals to carry gold jewellery to India. However, the amount you can bring and the customs duty you need to pay depend on your residency status and the time you’ve spent abroad.
2. How much gold can I carry to India without paying customs duty?
If you have lived abroad for more than a year, you can bring gold jewellery up to a certain weight without paying customs duty.
- For male passengers, the limit is 20 grams, with a maximum value of Rs. 50,000.
- For female passengers, the limit is 40 grams, with a maximum value of Rs. 100,000.
Please note that since the current market price of gold per gram is more than Rs 5,000/gram, you cannot take 20/40 grams. So the limit will be the value of Rs 50,000/Rs 100,000.
| Passenger Type | Stay Abroad | Gold Type | Maximum Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Indian passenger | More than one year | Gold Jewellery | Up to a value of Rs 50,000 |
| Female Indian passenger | More than one year | Gold Jewellery | Up to a value of Rs 100,000 |
| Male or Female | Less than one year | Any | No free allowance |
3. Is the allowance applicable to children as well?
Yes, the duty-free allowance on gold jewellery also applies to children, provided they have stayed abroad for one year or more.
4. Can I bring a gold coin, gold biscuit or gold bar within the allowance?
No, the duty-free allowance only applies to gold jewellery. Other forms of gold, like coins, biscuits, or bars, are subject to customs duty.
5. What are the conditions for carrying gold to India as a duty-free allowance?
Here are the main conditions you need to know:
- You must be an Indian citizen.
- You should have stayed abroad for one year.
- The gold must be in the form of jewellery, not in the form of coins, biscuits, or bars.
- The maximum duty-free allowance is Rs. 50,000 for men and Rs. 100,000 for women.
- Gold above this limit is subject to customs duty.
6. How much is the customs duty on excess gold jewellery?
If you’ve stayed abroad for more than a year and carry gold beyond the duty-free allowance, you will be required to pay a discounted duty of 13.75%.
7. Do I have to declare the gold if I am not asked about it?
Yes, if you have gold exceeding the standard duty-free allowance, you must declare it. Failing to declare it can lead to confiscation, penalties, and even legal consequences.
8. Do I have to pay duty if I bought the jewellery from India?
Any gold jewelry purchased in India is exempt from duty if you declare it correctly and obtain an export certificate at the customs desk before leaving the country.
Part 2: Importing Gold As Baggage
1. Who can import gold as baggage?
“Passengers of Indian origin or a passenger holding a valid Indian passport, coming to India after a minimum of six months abroad, can import gold as baggage.
Short visits within six months are not considered if they total less than 30 days. Additionally, the passenger should not have utilized the exemption under this scheme during such short visits.
Apart from these passengers, others are not permitted to import gold as baggage.
2. How much is the Customs Duty for importing gold?
The customs duty for imported gold depends on the duration of your stay abroad:
- One year or more: Duty-free allowance is Rs. 50,000 for males and Rs. 100,000 for females, and for gold above this limit, a 13.75% duty applies.
- Six months to one year: No duty-free allowance, but gold up to 1 kg can be imported by paying a 13.75% duty.
- Less than six months: No duty-free allowance and a 38.5% duty applies.
| Period of Stay Abroad | Duty-free Allowance | Duty Payable |
|---|---|---|
| One year and above | Maximum value of Rs 50,000 for males; Maximum value of Rs 100,000 for female | Up to 1 kg: 13.75% |
| Six months to one year | No Allowance | Up to 1 kg: 13.75% |
| Less than six months | No Allowance | 38.5% |
3. What is the maximum gold I can bring above the free allowance?
If you’ve stayed abroad for at least a year, you can bring up to 1 kg of gold on payment of duty, which can be in various forms such as jewelry, crude gold, gold coins, or gold biscuits.
4. I have visited India for a few days in the last six months. Can I qualify to bring gold?
Short visits to India (less than 30 days) within the preceding six months are not counted when determining eligibility to bring gold. You can import up to 1 kg of gold on payment of duty.
5. What if I did not complete six months of stay abroad?
If you haven’t stayed abroad for six months, a duty of 38.5% may be charged on all the gold you bring with you.
6. Do I have to carry the gold with me while travelling?
You can either bring the gold yourself upon arrival or import it as unaccompanied baggage within fifteen days of your arrival in India. There are no restrictions on selling gold in India.
The passenger can also obtain the permitted quantity of gold from the Customs bonded warehouse of the State Bank of India and Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation. This is subject to the same conditions.
8. How is the gold price calculated? Can I show the purchase receipt?
The price of gold is calculated based on the value notified by the government of India at the time of travel. While a purchase receipt can help prove the source, the value of the gold is determined based on the date of travel.
Payment of Gold Duty
To pay customs duty at a discounted rate, you must use foreign currency. Paying in Indian Rupees incurs a duty rate of 38.5%.
If you can’t provide authentic information about the gold jewellery or the means to pay the duty, customs officials may detain the jewellery and offer you the choice of paying the duty or re-exporting the gold when leaving India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I allowed to carry small jewellery for daily use?
Generally, customs officials usually do not object to ladies wearing small, daily-use jewelry (e.g., a small chain, a pair of earrings, etc.). To ensure a smooth experience, you can obtain an export certificate before leaving India.
Is jewellery studded with stones included in the duty-free allowance?
The duty-free allowance applies exclusively to pure gold jewelry. Jewelry adorned with stones does not qualify for this allowance.
How much gold is allowed on international flights to India?
The duty-free gold allowance for male passengers is 20 grams (with a maximum value of Rs. 50,000), while for female passengers, it’s 40 grams (with a maximum value of Rs. 100,000).
How much gold is allowed from Dubai to India?
Male passengers returning to India from Dubai can bring gold jewelry weighing up to 20 grams, valued at not more than Rs. 50,000. Female passengers are permitted to bring up to 40 grams of gold jewelry, valued at no more than Rs. 1 lakh. Exceeding these limits requires payment of customs duty.
How much gold jewellery can I carry to the USA from India?
According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there is no specific limit on the amount of gold jewelry that can be brought into the United States. However, if the value of the jewelry exceeds $10,000, it must be declared to a CBP officer on a FINCEN 105 form upon entry. If the jewelry is a personal possession being brought back to the US, there is no need to declare it.
Related Articles:
- Duty-Free Allowance At Indian Airports
- Indian Airport Customs Duty On LCD/LED TV
- Indian Customs Rules for Electronic Items
- Transfer of Residence to India: Customs Rules for NRI
- Indian Customs Cash Limit And Rules
- Indian Customs Declaration Form
Copyright © NRIGuides.com – Unauthorized reproduction of this article in any language is prohibited. The information provided on this website is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, and travellers are encouraged to verify visa requirements and travel advisories through official government sources before making any travel arrangements.
Reference: Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Baggage Rules 2016
Aneesh, the Founder & Editor of DG Pixels, holds a Master’s Degree in Communication & Journalism, and has two decades of experience living in the Middle East. Since 2014, he and his team have been sharing helpful content on travel, visa rules, and expatriate affairs.
Hi,
I stayed more than 6 months so how much i have to pay for 1 KG of Gold Bars.
Hi,
I stayed more than 6 months so how much i have to pay for 1 KG of Gold Bars.
I am returning back from Saudi Arabia after 5month. how much custom will charge on gold jewerly
I am staying in Dubai, can I carry Gold jewelry worth 16gms with me, as free allowance.
I went to India before 2 months for a short vacation, ie for visa changing, is this will affect on free allowances ???
The customs duty 10.3 % for gold which i carrying more than 20 grams, Should i have to pay in foreign currency or Indian rupees?
Also, advise me How much foreign currency is allowed to carry in hand?
Hello i stay in kuwait 2 years 6 months & i come back india bring 20 grams gold biscuit any problam in hyderabad airport
I stay in kuwait 2 years 6months i bring 20gram biscuit gold any problam in hyderabad airpprt
i have been living in UK since 2000 and now relocating to India for good. My wife has gold ornaments which she brought over after marriage, it is certainly above the 40gm and we didnot get any EXPORT CERTIFICATE for any of the ornaments which she brought from India 10-15 years ago. We don’t have the receipts as well as majority of those ornaments were gifted to my wife during marriage and she carried it over to UK. Since we have stayed abroad for 15 years, do we have to pay duty on her personal ornaments when we return to India in Sept. and how much ? please clairfy
Hi Srihari, If you don’t have export certificate, the duty is 10.3% of present gold value (for weight above 40 grams).
Hi Need some clarification, I am hear in uae since last 2 years in my husband’s visa and I have a a small gold coin with 8 grms. During vacation I can carry that to India? Do I need to pay anything for it if I have the Purchase receipt copy with me?
Hi Anurekha, Only gold jewellery can be included in free allowance. Gold coin or biscuit is liable to pay duty at 10%.
Hi i am leaving kuwait in since last two year …and i want carry gold with me when i came back india …how mach i can carry with me without paying …duty free …
I am working here in uae since 1year. I went for emergency leave for 5days in one year.so how much I will pay if I am carrying 50grams.
Hi, Men are allowed only 20 grams. You are liable to pay 10.3% duty on 30 grams. It will be around Rs 9000.
I am working here in uae since 1year. I went for emergency leave for 5days in one year.so how much I will pay if I am carrying 50grams.
Hi, Men are allowed only 20 grams. You are liable to pay 10.3% duty on 30 grams. It will be around Rs 9000.
Hello sir,
I have to send a gold rakhi to usa of 2.5 grams will I have to pay anything for customs.
My daughter wear a small diamond ring of cost only aed 610. Need to pay any duty for this?
Hi Bindu, This should be fine.
I am a Canada resident.living from13 years.I am coming to attend my niece marriage.my wife has 300 grams of gold jewellery. we went to Toronto air port to get export certificate for jewellery from border services agency.they said they do not have any such procedure/practice for jewellery.because jewellery do not have any serial number or make just like machinery has. we showed the appraisal certificates, still they refused to give export certificate.Then how the Indian government asking to bring the export certificate from air ports/ custom departments from other country.
Is there any detailed information for this purpose? is it available from any Indian govt websites so that i can show these people here in Toronto.
Travelling to dubai as tourist.. how much jewellery i can purchase & bring back as duty free…
Hi sir, if I bring used gold need to pay duty?
Hi sir, if I bring used gold need to pay duty?
10.3% is the rate of duty only when u pay in foreign exchange,if u r paying in indian currency then u have to pay 36.05% duty
Hi Ashfaque, Gold coin/biscuit cannot be claimed under free allowance. The rate is 10% of the value (weight).
Dear sir,
iam in dubai last seven months ,iam going to india.how much amount of gold coin taken home with out any duties?
Dear sir,
iam in dubai last seven months ,iam going to india.how much amount of gold coin taken home with out any duties?
u will have to pay duty on whatever gold u bring ,no free allowance for 7 months of stay..u will have to pay 10.3% duty in dirham or 36.05% duty in indian rupee if u bring gold
Note : u should carry to india only gold jewellery but here should b pay of full value on gold @ at present rate of indian market.hence # present rate X 10.3 % duty.