Muscat – India has eased customs rules on carrying gold jewellery, removing long-standing value caps and retaining only weight limits, a move expected to benefit Indian expatriates in Oman, and Non-Resident Indians worldwide.
The change follows the announcement of the Customs Baggage Rules, 2026 in India’s Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. The revised rules came into effect from midnight on February 2, replacing regulations that had been in place for nearly a decade.
Under the new framework, female passengers of Indian origin returning to India are permitted to carry up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free, while male passengers are allowed up to 20 grams. Crucially, the earlier value limits have been removed.
Previously, the same weight limits applied, but were subject to value caps of Rs100,000 for women and Rs50,000 for men. Gold carried above these thresholds attracted customs duty, and passengers were required to declare excess jewellery at the Red Channel, often producing purchase invoices to avoid penalties.
The removal of the value cap simplifies compliance and reduces uncertainty for travellers, particularly those returning from the Gulf, where gold purchases are common.
The new baggage rules also raise the general duty-free allowance for imported goods. Residents of India, tourists of Indian origin and foreign nationals holding valid non-tourist visas can now bring goods worth up to Rs75,000 duty-free when arriving by air or sea, up from the earlier limit of Rs50,000.
A separate allowance applies to foreign tourists, who are permitted duty-free clearance of articles valued up to Rs25,000, provided the items are carried on their person or in accompanied baggage.
The revised allowances were notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on February 1. The government said the changes are intended to modernise baggage regulations, align them with current travel patterns and reduce procedural friction at ports of entry.
For Indian expatriates in the Gulf, the easing of gold jewellery rules is seen as a practical and long-awaited measure, particularly during peak travel seasons and family visits.
