Save on Obligation for iPhones, Macbooks, and even a Rolex

India’s up to date Customs Rules for 2026 elevate the duty-free allowance for worldwide passengers to Rs75,000, up from Rs50,000. The change applies to travellers arriving by air or sea and covers Indian residents, NRIs, and other people of Indian origin.

For UAE-based flyers returning house, the upper threshold makes big-ticket purchases overseas simpler to justify, significantly electronics and private equipment.

Travellers can now carry private objects price as much as Rs75,000 into India with out paying customs obligation. The allowance applies to items carried in baggage for private use, together with smartphones, watches, clothes, footwear, and equipment.

Foreign vacationers visiting India have a decrease duty-free cap of Rs25,000. Infants are allowed solely used private objects reminiscent of clothes. For frequent travellers from the UAE, the upper ceiling reduces the chance of surprising obligation funds at Indian airports.

Electronics, particularly smartphones, typically value much less overseas than in India. With the expanded allowance, a good portion of an iPhone’s value can now fall throughout the duty-free window.

If the full worth of carried objects exceeds Rs75,000, the surplus attracts:

Earlier, the fundamental customs obligation was 20%. The revised construction sharply reduces the price of declaring high-value devices.

The decrease obligation applies to most private imports, together with smartphones, cameras, smartwatches, and choose packaged meals objects. Cars, alcohol past permitted limits, tobacco, and restricted items stay excluded.

One laptop computer or pocket book can nonetheless be introduced into India absolutely duty-free, separate from the Rs75,000 allowance. The exemption applies to travellers aged 18 and above and excludes airline crew. For many UAE travellers, this successfully creates two buckets: one laptop computer that doesn’t depend, and all the things else that does.

Customs checks concentrate on patterns and declared worth. Customs officers most frequently flag:

Electronics and luxurious watches are frequent high-value purchases. Both qualify as private imports and depend towards the Rs 75,000 restrict. Gold jewelry is permitted inside limits for many who have lived overseas for over a 12 months, whereas gold bars stay excluded. Perfumes and cosmetics qualify as private objects, although amount issues. Liquor follows strict, separate limits.