Gold from Dubai: New Customs Rules Simplify Jewelry Import for Travelers

• The Union Ministry of Finance introduced new Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations 2026, effective February 2, 2026, replacing the 2016 Baggage Rules.
• Indian citizens/tourists of Indian origin living abroad for over a year can bring duty-free jewelry: 40 grams for women and 20 grams for men.
• The new rules specify "jewelry" (gold or silver) for duty-free limits, simplifying previous rules that had value and weight restrictions only for gold.
• Travelers must fill an Indian Customs Declaration Form, declaring all jewelry and items; separate declarations are needed for new/old personal jewelry and luggage jewelry if exceeding limits.
• Duty-free limits also apply to other goods (up to 75,000 rupees for Indian residents/tourists of Indian origin, 25,000 rupees for foreign tourists) and specific quantities of alcohol, cigarettes, and one laptop.

Why It Matters: New customs rules simplify duty-free jewelry import for travelers, increasing limits and clarifying declarations.