How Much Gold & Cash Can You Carry to India? Rules Explained!

• 21 Mar
• Admin
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Are you traveling to India with Cash or Gold items?

If yes, you might be wondering how to learn the rules governing the cash and gold limit you can bring to India from abroad. This is a common question among travellers. People often find the limitations on carrying cash and gold while traveling to India confusing and difficult to follow. 

If you're visiting relatives, vacationing, or taking an official business trip, you need to know the rules to avoid customs problems. This blog will cover details about important rules and restrictions that apply to bringing cash and gold to India.  

Customs Regulations In India

The Indian Customs Act of 1962 regulates duties on exports and imports and provides guidelines for customs valuation. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is the most powerful authority that oversees customs, excise, and taxation of goods and services in India.

The passengers who come to India need to see a customs inspection after clearing by an Immigration Officer and taking possession of their luggage. The traveller has the choice to seek Customs clearance through either of two channels- Green Channel for passengers who do not have any dutiable or prohibited items, and Red Channel for passengers having prohibited or dutiable items.

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Mandatory Requirements

The travellers carrying prohibited or dutiable products or things that exceed duty-free allowance must submit a customs declaration. Then, they can pass through the Red Channel. You can declare any dutiable items and currencies before taking off on the ATITHI app using your smartphone. 

The passengers who pass through the Green Channel carrying dutiable or illicit goods might be subject to the possibility of prosecution, penalty, and seizures.

Gold and Jewelry Limit

Gold is a favorite for people traveling to India, mainly when visiting relatives or friends. You must know the specific rules and guidelines for bringing gold or jewelry for gifting or personal use. You must know how much gold you can carry to India without risking prosecutions and seizures. 

What’s the Limit?

You can bring gold to India without paying duty if it meets these conditions:

For male travelers: You can bring up to 20 grams of gold in jewelry form. But this must not exceed the value of Rs 50,000. 

For women travelers: You can bring up to 40 grams of gold in jewelry form with a maximum value of Rs 100,000. 

This only applies to gold jewelry that you carry for your personal use. If you go beyond the set limits, you need to pay customs duties. These duties can cost you a lot and this is the reason it is advised to keep your gold in the legal limits to avoid extra costs.

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What about gold coins and bars?

Gold coins and bars are different from gold jewelry items used for personal purposes. This makes a difference in the guidelines for carrying gold coins and bars to India. You can carry them but are subject to customs duties if the quantity goes beyond the set limit. This is the reason you must prefer carrying limited amounts of gold bars or coins to avoid the complexities of customs procedures.

Currency Guidelines

Cash is another item that may cause concern when you carry it while traveling to India. This is the reason that causes eagerness in travelers to learn about how much cash they can bring without customs difficulties.

What’s the Limit?

These regulations may vary depending on bringing Indian rupees (INR) or foreign currency.

Indian rupees or INR: You cannot carry more than Rs25,000 Indian rupees when traveling to India from abroad. This limit is set for protection against illicit activities and money laundering.

Foreign Currency: The declaration of foreign exchange is required by customs on arrival when the currency value exceeds US $5,000 when bringing from abroad. 

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How to Declare Gold or Cash Above the Limit?

When carrying more cash or gold than the permitted limits, you must understand the declaration procedure to avoid customs problems.

What to do?

Mentioned below is the process to declare the gold and cash that you are carrying beyond the set limits to India:

Fill Declaration Form: You need to fill out the Customs Declaration Form and mention the amount of gold or cash you're carrying with its worth.

Pay Customs Duty: You might be required to pay tax on customs for the excess quantities of gold and cash. This is done at the customs desk, and you may need to submit documents like purchase receipts to justify the value declared.

Verification: When you submit the CDF and pay customs tax, the customs officials will verify everything. 

Tips for Traveling with Gold and Cash to India

Know Customs Regulations

You must learn about Indian laws on carrying cash and gold to avoid penalties or confiscation. You must understand things like gold imports are taxed and there are limits on the cash you can bring to India without paying duties.

Declare Anything Above the Limit

You must declare carrying gold or cash above the limits specified by Indian Customs. When carrying gold more than the value INR 50 000 (for males) or INR 100,000 (for females), you must declare it to the Indian Customs team on arrival.

Keep Receipts and Proof of Purchase

You must not forget to keep receipts of the gold you're carrying to India to avoid issues with customs. Also, try to keep a record of the source of the cash if it goes more than the permitted amount.

Keep Things in a Secure Space

You must keep your cash and gold in a safe, discrete and easily accessible space in your bag. Prefer using a safe pouch for cash and a secure compartment in your luggage to keep the golf that you are carrying.

Jewelry is different from Gold Bars

You must be aware that jewelry is usually exempt from the limit set by law, but gold bars or coins may be subject to duties.

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Conclusion

Bringing cash and gold to India from abroad is legal to a certain extent. You need to follow the guidelines and rules set by the Customs Department to avoid prosecutions and seizures of your items. When bringing cash and gold to India for business or personal reasons, you ensure to declare your possessions timely. If you're planning to sell any gold ornaments, 24KARAT is a reliable gold and silver buyer in Delhi. With 24KARAT, you can receive instant cash for your gold and ensure the best bargain. Visit 24KARAT to get cash for your gold.

FAQ’s

Is carrying gold to India legal?

Yes. This is legal. But you must follow the guidelines and eligible quantities for bringing gold to India. Non-compliance with the guidelines or set limits can cause you to face prosecutions or seizures. 

What happens if I carry more gold or cash than allowed?

You must declare the extra quantities of gold or cash if they go beyond the limits. Some events may demand you to pay a customs duty amount more than prescribed. Any kind of failure with the rules and procedures may cause custom difficulties or seizures.

Can I carry gold coins or bars to India?

Yes. You can bring gold bars or gold to India by adhering to the limits set by customs. You must declare gold coins or bars and pay the applicable customs duty for clearance.

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