How much gold can you carry back to India?

Male passengers can carry up to 20 grams of yellow metal worth INR50,000, while for women it is double that limit

MUSCAT: Indian nationals travelling home from Oman can carry up to 40 grams of gold jewellery without paying any customs charges on arrival.

Male passengers can carry up to 20 grams each worth INR50,000 (about OMR257.5), while the upper limit for women has been set at 40 grams, provided the value of gold carried does not exceed INR100,000 (about OMR515).

“A passenger residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, shall be allowed clearance free of duty in his bona fide baggage of jewellery up to a weight, of twenty grams with a value cap of fifty thousand rupees if brought by a passenger, or forty grams with a value cap of one lakh rupees if brought by a lady passenger,” say baggage rules introduced by the Department of Revenue of the Indian Ministry of Finance.

The limit on bringing in gold and other precious metals is only related to ornaments. Precious metals brought into the country in other forms will be subject to customs duty.

“Most of the customs duties imposed by the Indian government are on electronics and precious metals,” said an official from the Embassy of India in Muscat.

“As far as currency goes, passengers flying into the country with foreign cash worth more than $5,000 in value have to mention this in the declaration form provided, and hand this over at customs.”

The following items are subject to customs duties at Indian airports: Firearms, ammunition in excess of 50 cartridges, cigarettes, if their quantity exceeds 100 sticks, cigars, if they exceed 25 units, or tobacco, if brought in at quantities above 125gms.

Alcoholic beverages in excess of two litres, gold or silver in any nonornamental form, and LCD, LED and flat screen plasma TVs are all subject to customs.

Precious stones are also subject to duty.

According to customs tariffs introduced by the Indian government, gems such as sapphires, emeralds, rubies, moonstones, garnets, and natural and cultured pearls – both worked and unworked – are subject to 10 per cent of their value.

Precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum, and ordinary metals coated in precious metals, are subject to rates of 12.5 per cent.

This also includes scrap metal made from or containing these elements. Jewellery sold in shops, as well as those that have been worked on in the form of filigree, or are set with gems, will be otherwise subject to customs rates of 20 per cent.

These rules also apply to air crew who are bringing into India goods for their personal use. These duties have to be paid once they go off duty.

However, items such as chocolates, cheese, nuts, toys, and other goods that are intended for personal use by crew members, or as gifts for others, are exempt from such duties.