Baggage Rules for Tours and Holidays
The prerequisites for treating any articles / goods as baggage is that they were in use of the passenger or were brought and paid for by the passenger.Goods imported by a passenger as his bonafide baggage are, however, exempt from the above requirements. The passenger is only required to comply with the existing Baggage Rules in India and bring into / take out of India, baggage to the extent admissible under those Rules. Import / Export of baggage in excess of the limits is, however, chargeable / liable to duty at the existing rates.
Baggage means “belongings” of a passenger traveling from one place to another.It can either be accompanied baggage or unaccompanied baggage.
Types of Baggage
- Accompanied Baggage : These are the goods brought by the traveler in the same transportation means of his or her arrival.
- Unaccompanied Baggage : These are the goods covered by a bill of lading. These goods must come from the country or countries of passenger origin or stay.
Clearance
Baggage can be cleared through the following channels based on the nature of the goods :
| Green Channel | Not having any dutiable goods | Passenger can walk through this manned by Customs Officials, thereby declaring the baggage orally. |
| Red Channel | Having dutiable goods | Passengers can walk through this channel. |
Goods Considered As Baggage
Following items are considered as baggage :
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Boats
- Pedal boats
- Inflatables or dismountables and similar crafts (without engine)
- Folding craft
- Bicycles and similar items (without motor)
- Movie and videocameras
- Small sailing boats
- Cameras and binocular
- Skates
- Notebooks and similar objects
Following items are not considered as baggage :
- Engines
- Lambrettas (with motor)
- Jetskis
- Trailers and other land automotive vehicles
- Airplanes
- Boats
- Mopeds
- Motorcycle
- Goods whose quantity, nature and variety indicate their use for commercial or industrial purposes.
Exempted Baggage
The following baggages are exempted from custom duty :
- Personal property which is re-imported.
- Free replacement under warranty of private personal goods of passenger.
- Foodstuffs upto Rs. 50,000.
- Free gifts and donations to Red Cross, CARE or Government of India for relief and rehabilitation.
- Samples, price lists, prototypes, commercial samples etc.
- Goods brought for display, exhibition, fair etc., subject to various conditions.
- Agricultural products or goods manufactured or produced in Nepal.
Persons Eligible
Baggage is allowed clearance free of duty subject to the limitations / conditions for the following categories of persons:
| Category | Purpose |
| Indian citizens / Foreign nationals residing in India | Who go abroad on a short trip for business, recreation, medical treatment, etc. |
| Indian citizens | Who are engaged in a profession abroad |
| Tourists of Foreign origin or Indian origin normally residing abroad | Who come to India for a stay not more than 6 months for business, recreation, medical treatment, etc. |
| Indian citizens / Foreign nationals residing abroad for more than two years | For transferring their residence to India |