The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has notified major changes to the baggage rules for passengers arriving in India. Effective from midnight of February 2, 2026, the new Baggage Rules 2026 have replaced the old framework from 2016. The government has shifted to a weight-based system for jewelry to make customs clearance faster and easier for returning Indians. This move is expected to reduce disputes over the value of gold at airports.
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New Gold Jewellery Limits for Passengers
The most significant update is for Indian residents who have lived abroad for more than one year. The new rules remove the old value cap and focus only on the weight of the jewelry.
- Female Passengers: You can now bring up to 40 grams of gold jewelry duty-free.
- Male Passengers: You are allowed to bring up to 20 grams of gold jewelry duty-free.
Previously, there was a monetary limit of ₹1 lakh for women and ₹50,000 for men. With rising gold prices, that limit was often crossed easily. Now, the rule strictly follows the weight (40g or 20g), regardless of the gold’s current market value. This allowance applies only to personal jewelry and does not include gold coins, bars, or biscuits.
Duty-Free Allowance and Tax Rates
Apart from jewelry, the government has also increased the limit for general items like electronics, clothes, and gifts. The general duty-free allowance for Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin has been raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. For foreign tourists, this limit is now ₹25,000.
If you are carrying goods exceeding this ₹75,000 limit, the customs duty has been reduced significantly. The new duty rate is 10%, down from the earlier 20%. All passengers carrying dutiable goods must now declare them digitally through the Atithi app or the ICEGATE portal to ensure a smooth exit from the airport.
