ENTERING INDIA
If you are bringing dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high-value
articles into India with you, they must be entered on a Tourist Baggage
Re-Export Form (TBRE). These articles must be reexported at the time of
departure. Failure to reexport anything listed on the TBRE means you'll have
to pay a duty levied for each missing item.
You can bring in the following duty-free: personal effects (clothes and
jewellery); cameras and up to five rolls of film; binoculars; a portable musical
instrument; a radio or portable tape recorder; a tent and camping equipment;
sports equipment (fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets); 200
cigarettes or 50 cigars; .95 liters of liquor; and gifts not exceeding a value of
Rs. 600 (about $20). You may not bring in dangerous drugs or firearms,
gold coins, gold and silver bullion and silver coins not in use, Indian
currency, or live plants. Depending on the attitude of the customs' official,
you may or may not have to enter a portable computer on a TBRE form.
LEAVING INDIA
Rupees are not allowed out of India. You must exchange them before you
depart. Banking facilities for the conversion of rupees into foreign currency
are usually located in the same airport hall as the check-in counters. You
have no access to these facilities once you pass through immigration.
All animal products, souvenirs, and trophies are subject to the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. The export of skins made from protected wildlife
species is not allowed, and India is becoming increasingly rigorous in its
monitoring of such exports. Such items cannot be imported into many
countries, including the United States. As a general rule, avoid any souvenir
made of wild animal skins (except crocodile-leather goods). Ivory, unless it
can be proved to be old, is also not allowed in the United States, although it
is widely available for purchase. Help stop the poaching, which is reducing
elephant herds: Don't buy ivory products.
Generally, items more than 100 years old cannot be exported without a
permit from the Archaeological Survey, which has an office in Delhi.
Reputable shops will provide you with the required permit or help you
procure it. Items without permits will be detained by Indian Customs if they
are believed to be over 100 years old.
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