Your Stress-Free Travel Plan: Indian Airport Immigration & Customs Made Easy
Travel Intelligence • India 2026 • Immigration • Customs • Private Aviation
India Immigration & Customs Guide 2026: What International Travellers Need to Know
India’s tourism momentum, business travel, medical tourism and private aviation activity are rising fast. Whether you arrive on a scheduled airline, a business jet, or a helicopter connection, knowing the latest immigration and customs procedures helps you clear faster and avoid penalties.
Who this guide is for
- Tourists arriving on an e-Visa or regular visa
- Business travellers entering on business visas / employment visas
- Medical travellers and accompanying family members
- OCI card holders
- Private jet / charter clients requiring discreet, managed airport handling
Authority note: Indian airport entry and exit procedures are governed primarily by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) and the Indian Customs Department. Duty-free allowances and specific baggage limits are set out under India’s Baggage Rules, 2016.
What’s new for 2026: the digital e-Arrival Card
A major operational change for international arrivals is the shift from paper disembarkation forms to a digital system. From 1 October 2025, foreign nationals (including OCI card holders) are required to submit an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arriving in India, using official government portals.
Tip for smoother clearance: submit the e-Arrival Card before you depart for India (not after landing) and keep a screenshot or PDF copy handy.
Two key authorities at Indian airports
Bureau of Immigration (BoI)
Handles entry/exit control, visa checks, biometrics (where applicable), and immigration stamping.
Indian Customs
Monitors duty-free allowances, dutiable goods, prohibited/restricted items, and currency declarations.
2-minute checklist: documents to keep ready
- Passport (commonly required to have sufficient validity for travel and visa issuance; follow your visa conditions)
- Valid visa / e-Visa / OCI aligned to travel purpose
- e-Arrival Card (for foreign nationals incl. OCI) submitted within 72 hours pre-arrival :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Return/onward ticket + accommodation/address details
- Travel insurance (recommended; often requested in medical travel situations)
- Health requirements (only if re-introduced for specific risk scenarios; verify latest airline/MoHFW notices before travel)
Arriving in India: step-by-step immigration and customs flow
Immigration
Present passport + visa/e-Visa/OCI and your e-Arrival Card confirmation (where required). Immigration may capture biometrics and confirm your purpose of visit.
Baggage claim
Collect checked baggage and keep your baggage tags until you exit the terminal.
Customs: Green or Red channel
Use Green if you have no dutiable/restricted items to declare; use Red if you are carrying dutiable goods, restricted items, or reportable currency.
Important: Duty-free allowances differ for foreign tourists vs Indian residents / persons of Indian origin under the Baggage Rules, 2016. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Departing India: what outgoing passengers should expect
Terminal entry check
Security staff may verify passport and ticket/PNR at the terminal entrance.
Airline check-in
Boarding pass issuance, baggage acceptance, and document verification for destination requirements.
Immigration exit
BoI clears you for departure after verifying passport/visa status and travel purpose.
Final security
Cabin baggage screening and final checks before you proceed airside.
- Arrive 3–4 hours early for international departures during peak periods.
- If carrying prescription medicines, keep doctor’s letter and original packaging (especially for controlled substances).
- If carrying reportable currency, declare it correctly and keep paperwork for re-export.
Indian customs rules: duty-free allowance, dutiable goods, and common pitfalls
Duty-free allowance (general)
Under India’s Baggage Rules, 2016, passengers arriving from countries other than Nepal/Bhutan/Myanmar may receive a duty-free allowance for articles (excluding Annexure-I items) up to:
Indian resident / foreigner residing in India / tourist of Indian origin
Up to ₹50,000 (articles other than Annexure-I)
Applies for eligible passengers (not infants) when items are carried on person or in accompanied baggage. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Tourist of foreign origin
Up to ₹15,000 (articles other than Annexure-I)
As defined in the rules; infants are limited to used personal effects. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Alcohol and tobacco limits
Items listed in Annexure-I are not covered by the general duty-free allowance. Annexure-I specifies thresholds for: tobacco (100 cigarettes / 25 cigars / 125g tobacco) and alcoholic liquor or wine (2 litres). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Gold and jewellery: what’s actually duty-free
The rules provide a specific jewellery concession (subject to conditions). A passenger residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, may bring duty-free jewellery up to 20g (value cap ₹50,000) for a gentleman or 40g (value cap ₹1,00,000) for a lady. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Practical note: declaration requirements and duty depend on your residency status, trip duration, and item category. When in doubt, use the Red Channel.
Green vs Red channel (simple rule)
- Green Channel: You are carrying only permitted items within allowance limits.
- Red Channel: You are carrying dutiable/restricted goods (extra electronics, bullion, excess gold, high-value items) or reportable currency.
Currency guidelines: declaration thresholds and Indian rupee limits
When you must file a Currency Declaration Form (CDF)
A CDF is generally not required if (a) total foreign exchange brought in (cash + instruments) does not exceed USD 10,000 and/or (b) foreign currency notes do not exceed USD 5,000. Above these thresholds, passengers should complete the CDF. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
How much Indian currency can you take in/out
RBI foreign exchange regulations allow certain travellers to bring in or take out Indian currency notes up to specified limits. Official RBI regulations include an allowance up to ₹25,000 per person in certain cases (including specified categories of travellers), subject to conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
LRS (for Indian residents remitting abroad)
Under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), resident individuals may remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for permitted current/capital account transactions.
Compliance tip: If you declare currency on arrival, keep the stamped documentation—it can be important when taking unspent funds out of India or for banking transactions.
Prohibited and restricted items: what causes avoidable trouble
Commonly prohibited / highly restricted
- Illegal narcotics and psychotropic substances
- Firearms/ammunition/explosives without permits
- Counterfeit currency and counterfeit branded goods
- Pornographic material (restricted under Indian law)
E-cigarettes and vaping products
India’s law prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes.
Satellite phones and drones (UAVs)
Items such as satellite phones and drones can trigger inspection and may require permissions or regulatory compliance. For drones, DGCA’s DigitalSky platform hosts the core rules and guidance; import policy is regulated via DGFT as referenced in drone rule summaries.
If you must travel with specialised equipment, declare it and carry supporting documentation to reduce the risk of seizure or delays.
Special guidelines for private jet passengers (business jets and charter)
Private aviation in India is growing among HNIs, UHNWIs, delegations, and time-critical corporate travellers. The clearance process is straightforward when managed correctly—but it is not optional. Private jet passengers must still complete immigration and customs at designated international airports.
What typically needs to be arranged
- Flight permissions / airport approvals and slot coordination (as applicable)
- Passenger manifest / general declaration documentation
- Ground handling and security coordination
- Immigration & customs availability (especially for off-peak arrivals)
How Safe Fly Aviation helps
- End-to-end private jet and helicopter charter planning
- Documentation support and pre-clearance coordination
- Discreet handling assistance and time-critical AOG-style responsiveness
- Trusted partner network across major Indian airports
Book a Jet (or get fast support)
For private jet charter, helicopter charter, fast-track handling support, or time-critical assistance, contact Safe Fly Aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I carry gold jewellery to India duty-free?
Under India’s Baggage Rules, 2016, passengers residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, may bring duty-free jewellery up to 20g (value cap ₹50,000) for a gentleman or 40g (value cap ₹1,00,000) for a lady, subject to conditions. Use the Red Channel if unsure.
Source: Baggage Rules, 2016.
What are the currency declaration thresholds in India?
A Currency Declaration Form is generally not required if total foreign exchange (cash + instruments) does not exceed USD 10,000 and/or foreign currency notes do not exceed USD 5,000. Above these thresholds, declare using the CDF.
Source: Currency Declaration Form guidance.
Is immigration clearance required for private jet passengers?
Yes. Private aviation passengers must complete immigration and customs at designated international airports. Proper pre-coordination reduces waiting time and avoids operational delays.
How early should I arrive for an international flight departing India?
As a practical rule, arrive 3–4 hours before departure during peak hours. Immigration and security queues can be longer at major hubs.
Are e-cigarettes allowed in India?
India has a law prohibiting electronic cigarettes, including their import and related activities. Avoid travelling with vaping devices or cartridges.
Source: Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
