Country Guide

India customs import limits

Official duty-free allowances for alcohol, tobacco, cash, medicines, and other goods when entering India. See what you can bring before you fly.

Cash declaration threshold

This is one of the most important declaration rules travelers check before entering India.

Category Cash
All travelers Declaration rules
Cash and monetary instruments Declaration from INR 5,000
Declaration required
Cash, monetary instruments, and equivalent value checks can apply above the threshold shown for INR.

More India customs limits

Exact thresholds for all categories are available in the app. Download CustomsLimit to check your full trip before you fly.

Spirits (over 22% alcohol) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Spirits & liqueurs (up to 22%) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Still wine ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Beer ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe) ••• pieces / grams
Duty-free limit
Medicines (uncontrolled / OTC) Personal use only — conditions apply
Restricted
Controlled substances / narcotics Authorization required
Restricted
Meat, dairy & animal products See app for conditions
Restricted / Prohibited
General food items ••• kg limit
Duty-free limit
Live plants & plant products Phytosanitary cert. may apply
Restricted
Cultural artifacts & antiques Authorization may be required
Restricted

Exact limits, declaration thresholds, age restrictions, and combined rules for all categories are available free in the CustomsLimit app for India and 59 other countries.

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Know before you go

Surprising restriction for India

Import, possession, or transport of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited in India. Severe criminal penalties including imprisonment apply.

The CustomsLimit app shows the full traveler context for India before you travel.

About India customs

India's customs rules are administered by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs / CBIC. Traveler allowances and restrictions can vary based on where you are arriving from, your age, and the type of goods you carry.

Traveler rules can change based on route, age, item type, and whether goods are for personal use. CustomsLimit helps you check the full country guide for India before travel.

India customs — frequently asked questions

How much cash can I carry into India without declaring it?
India applies the declaration rule shown above for cash and equivalent monetary instruments. Travelers carrying more than the threshold must declare it before continuing through customs.
What is the duty-free alcohol allowance for India?
India has country-specific alcohol limits that can change based on the type of alcohol and the traveler route. The page above shows one example, while the CustomsLimit app shows the full alcohol breakdown for India.
Do I need to declare cash when entering India?
Foreign currency notes exceeding USD 5,000 (or equivalent): mandatory declaration using Currency Declaration Form (CDF). Total foreign exchange including traveller's cheques exceeding USD 10,000: also mandatory declaration. Import of Indian rupees is prohibited except for returning Indian residents (up to INR 25,000). Declaration may be filed via the ATITHI mobile app before boarding. The CustomsLimit app shows the declaration rule in the context of the rest of your trip.

Check all India limits free in the app

CustomsLimit covers India and 59 other countries with exact thresholds, combined limits, age restrictions, and declaration rules. Free to download.

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