Indians love their yellow metal and when in Dubai, they are always tempted to buy some (or a lot). Sadly, there are rules and limits. Going to India from Dubai to India, male travelers are allowed to bring only up to 20 grams of gold and females only up to 40 grams as duty-free. Any amount beyond this limit will attract unwanted custom surprises at the airport.
A Guide to Getting Gold from Dubai to India
Dubai is one of the preferred locations for buying gold and the Dubai Jewellery Show makes it even more tempting. However, there are certain customs regulations at the Indian airport regarding gold that travelers must follow. Certain restrictions are put to ensure the legal importation of gold and prevent the over-inflation of gold prices. Here’s all you need to know:
Gold Jewelry Allowance
The amount of gold one can bring varies according to gender:
- Male travelers can carry up to 20 grams of gold with them with a maximum value of ₹50,000 only.
- Women passengers are allowed up to 40 grams of gold that’s worth up to ₹1,00,000.
- Indian residents who have been living in foreign including Dubai for more than six months can bring up to 1 kg of gold as luggage when returning to India.
Exceeding the Limit
If you bring more gold than permitted, you would need to declare it at customs and for all the excess amount, customs duty will be charged.
| Gold Type & Qty | Customs Fee |
| Gold bars under 20 gms | None |
| Gold bars (20–100 gms) | 3% |
| Gold bars (1 kg) | 10% |
| 100-gram gold coins | 10% |
Be aware of the latest gold rates to avoid any hassles. However, it’s always suggested to stay within the limits to avoid paying extra charges.
What’s Not Allowed?
You can only carry plain gold jewelry. If you’re bringing any gold jewelry that has pearls or stones studded on it, unfortunately, you will have to declare it to customs and pay the applicable taxes.
- Gold Coins and Bars: They are not counted under the duty-free list and need to be paid for.
- Gold in Non-Jewelry Forms: Any gold that’s not jewelry like raw gold or bullion or bars isn’t a part of duty-free import.
How to Declare Excess Gold?
If the gold you are carrying is more than the permitted duty-free limit, you need to declare it to avoid penalties or confiscation. For this, you will go to the customs counter and inform the officers about bringing extra gold. Then you will fill out the declaration form and provide the necessary details about the amount and type of gold. The department will guide you through the whole process afterward.
Important Things to Remember
- Always keep all the receipts as proof of purchase of gold. It will also be useful when declaring it at customs.
- Gold bars never fall under the duty-free allowance and need to be declared.
- Whether it’s coins or other non-jewelry gold, it can’t be brought in duty-free.
Conclusion
There is a limit to carrying gold to India and exceeding it means having to pay heavy taxes or penalties. It’s always good to follow the guidelines to avoid extra charges or complex matters. Stick to the rules and you can take your jewelry home without any customs hassles and if you do have any additional gold, make sure to declare it to customs and it will all be good!
