India is changing its rules to woo foreign tourists and overseas Indians.  Revised baggage rules for customs with effect from 2nd February 2026 have done away with decades-old provisions. A significant hike has been made in duty-free allowances for international travelers.

The duty-free limit for passengers bringing imported goods into India has been raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. This applies to Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin arriving other than by land. Foreign tourists will also benefit, with their duty-free allowance increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.

Duty-free limits have been raised for jewelry carried by Indian-origin tourists who have stayed abroad for more than one year, as well as returning residents. Female passengers are permitted to bring jewelry weighing up to 40 grams duty-free, while the limit for other passengers is set at 20 grams.

By definition, jewelry includes items made of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals, whether plated or not, that are ordinarily worn by an individual.