Indian customs rules in 2021: how much alcohol and cigarettes can be imported, what can and cannot be taken out of the country

Coronavirus travel restrictions lifted in India in 2021

In 2021, restrictions on entry into India for ordinary tourists due to coronavirus have been lifted. You can travel on a regular tourist visa from October 15, 2021 for tourists arriving on charter flights. From November 15, 2021, all travelers are allowed to arrive on regular flights. This was reported on the official website of the Government of India.

Electronic tourist visa (E-visa) is issued for 30 days only. Business trips are also allowed on a business visa for a period of 6 months within 1 year.

Contacts of a visa consultant and specialist:

Phone: +7 985 123 55 59

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You can find out about the rules for entering India by following this link.

You can learn about applying for and obtaining a visa to India by following this link. About obtaining a visa to Goa - using this one.

You can also watch a video about the rules for entry into Goa into India for Russians in 2021 on our YouTube channel.

Grounds for liability

The reasons for liability are as follows:

a person transits through goods of the “green corridor” for which it is necessary to pay customs duties or for which prohibitions and restrictions apply;
when passing the “red corridor” the person does not declare the goods”;
a person is trying to export goods that are subject to prohibitions and restrictions;
the person participates in the commission of one of these crimes.

Responsibility measures:

complete confiscation of property;
imposition of a large fixed fine;
imposition of a financial penalty in the amount of five times the value of the goods or customs duties due;
arrest and other similar measures, including pre-trial detention in particularly serious cases.

Annex 1

weapon;
ammunition for firearms in quantities of more than 50 pieces;
cigarettes in quantities of more than 200 pieces; cigars - 50 pieces; tobacco - 250 grams;
alcoholic drinks and wines in quantities of more than 2 liters;
gold and silver in any form, except when used as decoration (decoration).

Appendix 2

color and black and white TVs;
home theater;
washing machine;
music centers;
air conditioners;
refrigerator with a capacity of more than 300 liters;
freezer;
microwave;
connecting a camera or video camera to one or more of the following devices: a television receiver, an audio recording or playback device, a video playback device;
electronic word processing apparatus;
devices for receiving and sending fax messages;
cars;
airplane;
gold and silver in any form, except when used as decoration (decoration).

General information

A declaration of goods imported into the country must be completed before receiving baggage and passing through customs control.

Below you can watch a video from our YouTube channel “Entering India in Goa with an electronic visa at the airport for Russians in 2021”

Tourists must not violate the rules for passing the “Red” and “Green” corridors. Otherwise, the items will be confiscated and the traveler will be fined.

If a person tries to smuggle psychotropic or narcotic substances, he faces criminal prosecution.

Prohibitions and restrictions

Goods prohibited for export:

narcotic and psychotropic substances. The movement of such substances is a serious crime and is punishable by imprisonment;
pornographic materials;
counterfeit products and goods exported in other cases of violation of intellectual property rights;
antiques.

Goods subject to export restrictions:

firearms and ammunition;
animals and birds, including domestic animals;
plants and their fruits;
endangered plant and animal species (both living and dead);
any goods exported for commercial purposes;
radio transmitters not intended for normal use;
gold and silver, with the exception of jewelry (ornaments);
Indian and foreign currency in quantities exceeding the prescribed limits.

In case of export or import of goods in respect of which any prohibitions and restrictions are established, arrest is applied to the person.

Customs declaration

Through the “Green Corridor” (without declaration) it is allowed to transport only those goods that are not subject to declaration.

What is transported through the “Red Corridor” is that which cannot be transported through the “Green Corridor”. Import of these items requires payment of tax.

As per Indian customs regulations, the duty rate is 36.05%. Alcohol and tobacco products, which are transported in larger quantities than during duty-free transportation, are subject to mandatory taxation.

The rate and fees in 2021 look like this:

silver products – 6%;
tobacco products – 100%;
gold products – 10%;
whiskey – 150%;
other jewelry (this does not apply to products decorated with stones or pearls) – 10%;
beer – 100%.

An additional education tax is paid (4% for beer and 3% for everything else).

What documents you need to provide when applying for an Indian visa can be found by following this link. About the photo requirements for obtaining a visa to India - here.

What is allowed to be carried

The following are allowed to be imported into India:

cigarettes – 199 pieces;
cigars – 49 pieces;
tobacco – 249 g;
alcohol (wine, vodka, rum) – up to 2000 ml;
cartridges - up to 50 pieces;
eau de toilette – 250 ml;
money – the optimal amount is up to $5,000 in cash, transportation of local currency is prohibited.

How much and what kind of money to take to Goa to India in 2021: currency and bank cards, you can see below on our YouTube channel

You can only import cigarettes, tobacco or cigars.

Medicines (antidepressants, tranquilizers, light narcotics) can be imported only if required for treatment. You must have a notarized doctor's prescription with you.

Example of a recipe form

You can learn about the rules for exporting and importing medicines to Russia by following this link.

The number of pets (in particular dogs) is 2/1 people. If the number of imported animals is more than 2, then you need to have a DGFT license with you. This certificate must be obtained for each dog or cat. It is issued in the Russian Federation.

This is what a DGFT license looks like

You can learn about the rules for importing animals into Russia by following this link.

But it is also likely that you will undergo additional testing by a quarantine officer.

What is prohibited to import

According to the rules, in 2021 the following cannot be imported into India:

pork (it is also prohibited to import products from this meat);
drugs;
counterfeit money;
psychotropic drugs (if they are not drugs);
pornographic materials;
firearm;
steel arms;
rare plant species.

You cannot bring into Goa the same things as into India.

What is prohibited to export

You cannot take out of the country:

narcotic drugs (with a prescription from a doctor, only the export of drugs is allowed);
bullions (gold, silver);
precious items worth 2.0 thousand rupees or more;
national currency (if there are rupees left, it is recommended to spend them on products that are sold in the duty-free zone);
rare, living plants (the ban does not apply to the export of seeds), but their quantity must be moderate;
live shells;
stuffed animals, animal body parts and skeletons, bird feathers.

When purchasing ancient souvenirs, you must ask the seller for a document confirming that the products do not represent cultural or historical value.

The list of prohibited goods exported from India also includes antiques and their copies.

What is prohibited from being imported into Russia can be found out by following this link.

Seashells and fruits

Shells can be exported from India. The only danger that awaits travelers is the risk of overweight. The number of shells does not matter, but the standard weight is 20 kg. Experienced travelers advise playing it safe and purchasing additional luggage weight with your ticket.

You can also export shells from Goa. The requirements are no different.

The export of any fruit is allowed. But you need to take them not in hand luggage, but in checked luggage.

You can find out how to apply for an electronic visa to India and Goa by following these links. And also watch on our YouTube channel.

How much alcohol and cigarettes can you import into India?

In the first half of 2021, rumors appeared about new amendments to Indian customs regulations that related to the import of alcohol.

Alarmists claimed that from 2021 it will be possible to transport alcohol only with Russian excise taxes. Allegedly this was due to the introduction of a new verification system.

Current Russian customs regulations can be found by following this link.

In fact, there is no ban on transporting alcohol-containing products. The norms for its transportation in both directions have not changed. Strong alcohol can be exported, but the total volume should not exceed 3000 ml.

You can import no more than 199 cigarettes into the country. Local tobacco is not of high quality, so it is better to use this standard and take cigarettes with you.

Standards for importing alcohol into Russia 2021 for individuals

Currency

Rules for importing currency:

1. Local Currency (Indian Rupee-INR): up to max. INR 25,000 a. not eligible for Bangladeshi or Pakistani citizens residing outside India; b. if you are coming from Bhutan or Nepal, only currency notes of max. INR 100, – allowed. 2. Foreign currencies: no restrictions. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 (or equivalent) in cash or US$10,000 (or equivalent) in traveler's checks must be declared.

Foreign currency includes currency notes, traveler's cheques, cheques, cheques, etc. (re)exchanged only through banks and authorized money exchangers.

Rules for exporting currency:

1. Local Currency (Indian Rupee-INR): up to max. INR 25,000 2. Foreign currencies: up to the amount imported and declared.

Foreign currency includes currency notes, traveler's cheques, cheques, cheques, etc. (re)exchanged only through banks and authorized money exchangers.

Other things to remember

Additional rules for tourists look like this:

Upon entry into the country, all travelers, including children under fourteen years of age, are required to fill out an entry card. It is issued on the plane. It must be filled out in English. The same document is filled out when leaving the country.
You are allowed to carry a folding knife and a multitool in your luggage.
You are allowed to export from India only the amount of currency that was indicated at the time of crossing the border. Passengers traveling to Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Nepali destinations can take out up to 20 units of rupees.
When importing seeds, meat products, fruits, fish and dairy products into India, their quantity must be indicated.
There are no special restrictions on the transportation of personal luggage.
The import of satellite phones was recently restricted. This move was due to the fact that travelers ignored the requirements and did not report their transportation. If computer equipment is imported, this must also be indicated in the declaration, otherwise difficulties may arise with its export.
Exported spices cannot be taken into the cabin, since in India they are considered bioweapons.
If you plan to import any household appliances into the country, you should be prepared to pay a high duty.
Professional equipment (this applies to equipment for sports training, as well as musical instruments) is allowed to be carried, but this must be indicated in the declaration. Obligations should also be signed to remove equipment from the country.
Gifts worth up to $10 can be imported into India duty free. Otherwise, you will need to pay up to 60% of the price of the goods.
You can enter the country's air terminal buildings only if you have air tickets. Travel documents must be presented upon entry.
Every item purchased in India must be accompanied by a receipt. Otherwise, the purchase price will be assessed by customs officers on the spot - there is a risk of overpaying up to 70%.
When leaving India, there is no Tax Free on all purchased goods. This is due to the fact that entrepreneurs in the country always pay an indirect tax on products.
Given the harsh system of fines and high duties, it is advisable to bring only the essentials into Indian territory. It is recommended to first draw up a list of necessary items and declare them.

Each passenger's luggage is wrapped with strong tape. All bags and suitcases have a special tag attached to them.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel where to go to Goa with children in 2021: the beaches of North and South Goa, which is better

You can find out how to check the readiness of a visa to India by following this link.

Deadlines

The established period for filling out and submitting a declaration for Indian goods ranges from several hours to 2 working days and depends on the type of cargo, the number of items in the invoice and the number of EAEU HS codes.

The customs authority checks and releases the declaration within a few hours from the moment of its registration, if no changes are required to the declaration and all permits are provided. There are also other reasons for delay, which our company, having extensive experience, minimizes, thereby saving time and money for its clients.

Any deviation from the planned customs clearance period is fraught with downtime and additional costs for the foreign trade participant, which is why it is important to minimize all risks of increasing customs clearance time.

Alcohol in Goa

Goa is the last stronghold of “alcoholic freelancers”, the “hippie state”, the most popular destination for tourists, migrants and emigrants. Liquor in Goa is still produced in unlimited quantities and can be freely purchased at any time and in any store.

There are the lowest excise taxes here, which is why many large alcohol companies prefer to locate their production in Goa.

The state is also famous for its local drink, feni, a distillate (moonshine) made from cashews (not nuts!) or fermented palm sap.

Indian Customs

When you enter India, like most other countries, you must comply with certain customs requirements for the import and export of certain goods. When planning a trip to India, you should familiarize yourself with these requirements.

Allowed to be imported into India

- cigarettes (200 pieces), cigars (50 pieces) or tobacco (250 grams);

— wine or other alcoholic drinks (2 liters);

— perfume (60 ml) or eau de toilette (250 ml);

— cash ($5,000), non-cash ($10,000);

- pets (2 animals per person).

When importing the above items and animals, you need to know some of the features of Indian customs control. For example, if the quantity of imported cigarettes, alcohol or perfume is exceeded, customs duty is paid. If the amount of money imported exceeds the permissible amount, a written indication of the currency is required. When importing animals, you will need to have an international health certificate issued by a veterinarian, and in some cases you may be subject to additional inspection by a quarantine inspector. In case more than 2 animals per person are imported into the country, Indian customs officials will require a special license.

Import prohibited into India

— psychotropic and narcotic substances;

— firearms, with the exception of cartridges (50 pieces) with a special permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of India;

— endangered plant species;

— pornographic materials;

- gold and silver;

— pork and pork products;

- goods imported for commercial purposes and gifts;

What to do, if

Flight to Qatar delayed

In the event of a flight delay or unforeseen circumstances (problems with border or customs services), you should definitely call the phone number indicated at the end of the printout with the tour program or in the voucher, or contact the PAC24 emergency support service.

If you are flying to Qatar using tickets you purchased yourself and your flight is delayed, be sure to notify PAC24.

You are late for the airport-hotel transfer

If you are late for a transfer for objective reasons: flight delay, problems with border or customs services, lost luggage, inability to find a meeting person - be sure to call the phone number indicated at the end of the printout with the tour program or in the voucher, or contact the PAC24 emergency support service.

Can't find a greeter at the airport

There were problems with hotel accommodation

If you have any problems with your hotel accommodation, please contact your PAC GROUP representative at the resort or PAC24.

You cannot show up/are late for your booked excursion

Urgently contact the group's accompanying person or guide at the resort and clarify the procedure for the necessary actions.

Lost passport, documents

If you lose your passport, you must personally contact the consulate for a certificate. You will need copies of documents proving your Russian citizenship and photographs.

If you lose vouchers or other documents related to the tour (except your passport), we can send them to the hotel or our representative at the resort (if present there) for transmission to tourists.

Personal items are missing

If your personal belongings are missing, please inform your guide, PAC24 staff and contact the local police.