Gold Travel Rules: Carrying Gold To India From Bahrain

Gold is a significant part of Indian culture and tradition, often gifted at weddings and seen as a valuable investment. Indians often travel to Dubai to buy gold due to its lower prices and premium quality. However, when bringing gold from Dubai to India, it is important to understand the customs rules and regulations to avoid penalties and taxes. The amount of gold one can carry from Dubai to India depends on factors such as gender and duration of stay abroad. Male passengers can carry up to 20 grams of gold jewellery worth up to INR 50,000, while female passengers can carry up to 40 grams of gold jewellery worth up to INR 100,000. Children under the age of 15 are also eligible for duty-free gold jewellery, with a limit of 40 grams. It is important to declare the amount of gold being carried and pay the applicable customs duty if it exceeds the duty-free limit.

Gold jewellery and gold bars

The amount of gold you can carry from Bahrain to India depends on your gender, age, and the duration of your stay in Bahrain. Here are the duty-free limits for gold jewellery and gold bars:

Duty-Free Limits for Male Passengers:

Male passengers who have resided in Bahrain for over a year can carry up to 20 grams of gold jewellery with a maximum value of INR 50,000. If the gold exceeds 20 grams or the INR 50,000 limit, customs duty must be paid on the excess amount. The duty rates vary depending on the additional quantity of gold:

• 20 grams to 50 grams: 3% customs duty
• 50 grams to 100 grams: 6% customs duty
• More than 100 grams: 10% customs duty

Duty-Free Limits for Female Passengers:

Female travellers have a higher duty-free limit. They can bring up to 40 grams of gold jewellery with a maximum value of INR 1,00,000. If the quantity of gold exceeds 40 grams or the value exceeds INR 1,00,000, customs duty must be paid on the excess amount. The duty rates for female passengers are as follows:

• 40 grams to 100 grams: 3% customs duty
• 100 grams to 200 grams: 6% customs duty
• More than 200 grams: 10% customs duty

Duty-Free Limits for Children:

Children under the age of 15 who have lived outside India for at least a year are also eligible for duty-free gold jewellery. They can bring gold jewellery within the same limits as adult males (up to 20 grams, with a maximum value of INR 50,000) without incurring customs duty charges. If the quantity of gold exceeds these limits, duty rates are applied as follows:

• 40 grams to 100 grams: 3% customs duty
• 100 grams to 200 grams: 6% customs duty
• More than 200 grams: 10% customs duty

It is important to note that these duty-free allowances only apply to gold jewellery. If you are carrying gold bars, biscuits, or coins, different rules and charges may apply.

Additionally, when bringing gold into India, you must declare it at the airport if it exceeds the duty-free limit. Failure to do so can result in penalties, taxes, and even the seizure of your gold. Proper documentation, such as purchase invoices and certificates of purity, is also essential to avoid issues during customs clearance.

Customs duty for male passengers

Indian customs allow a maximum of 20 grams of gold for male passengers without incurring any customs duty. This limit applies to gold jewellery only and does not include gold bars or coins. The gold must be in the form of jewellery, not in the form of coins, biscuits, or bars. The maximum duty-free allowance is Rs. 50,000 for men.

If a male passenger carries gold beyond the duty-free allowance, he will be required to pay a customs duty. The custom duty rate is 3% when the gold quantity is 20-50 grams, 6% when the quantity is 50-100 grams, and 10% when the quantity is over 100 grams.

The customs duty on gold is assessed based on the type of gold item and its quantity. Gold coins, bars, and jewellery are valued based on the present global gold prices of 24K purity on the import day.

It is important to declare gold at customs if it exceeds the duty-free allowance, as undeclared items may lead to fines or confiscation. The declaration process involves filling out a customs declaration form and presenting it at the designated customs channel for dutiable goods.

Tips for Male Passengers:

• Stick to gold jewellery under the duty-free allowance to avoid additional charges.
• Consider buying gold jewellery rather than bars or coins, as jewellery has a duty-free allowance.
• Always declare gold at customs if it exceeds the duty-free limit to avoid penalties.

Customs duty for female passengers

The duty-free gold carrying limit for female passengers returning to India from abroad is 40 grams, with a maximum value of INR 100,000. This limit applies to gold in the form of jewellery, bars, or coins. If a female passenger is carrying more than the prescribed 40 grams of gold, she will have to pay customs duty on the excess amount above the duty-free limit.

The duty rate on excess gold for female passengers depends on the quantity of gold carried. If the quantity of gold carried is between 40 grams and 100 grams, a 3% duty rate will be applied. For quantities between 100 grams and 200 grams, the duty rate increases to 6%. For quantities exceeding 200 grams, a duty rate of 10% will be charged.

It is important to note that gold or silver in any form other than ornaments, such as coins or biscuits, are not entitled to duty allowances. Only gold in the form of jewellery, bars, or coins is permitted within the duty-free allowance.

When carrying gold into India, female passengers must also produce proper documentation of their gold purchases at Indian customs for verification. This includes providing gold purchase invoices with details such as the price, purity, and date of purchase. Failure to declare the correct information or exceeding the duty-free limit may result in penalties, increased duties, or even confiscation of the gold.

To avoid any issues, female passengers should be well-informed about the applicable duty-free limits and customs regulations before travelling to India with gold. Proper documentation and clear communication with customs officials are essential to ensure a smooth clearance process.

Customs duty for children

Children under the age of 15 can bring gold ornaments of up to 40 grams without paying any customs duty. This includes gifts or presents given to the child in the form of gold. However, if the amount of gold exceeds 40 grams, duty is levied on the excess amount.

A 3% duty is paid on gold from 40 grams to 100 grams, a 6% duty on gold weighing 100 grams to 200 grams, and a 10% duty on gold weighing more than 200 grams. The duty is determined using current international gold rates.

Children carrying gold must have identity proof of their relationship with the adults accompanying them. The accompanying adults must bring this paperwork, along with purchase invoices for the gold items, to assist customs officers in verifying the details during clearance.

Gold declaration at the airport

When travelling from Bahrain to India, it is important to understand the regulations and restrictions on carrying gold. Gold has a significant cultural and religious significance in India, and the country is one of the world's largest importers of gold. Here is a detailed guide on gold declaration at the airport:

When arriving in India with gold, you must accurately declare the quantity and value of the gold to the customs officials. Failure to declare the correct information or exceeding the allowed limits can result in penalties, taxes, and even the seizure of your gold. Proper documentation is essential to support your declaration.

Gold Allowance for Male Passengers:

For male passengers, the duty-free gold carrying limit is 20 grams, with a maximum value of INR 50,000. If the amount of gold jewellery or bars exceeds 20 grams or the value exceeds INR 50,000, customs duty must be paid on the excess amount. The duty rates vary depending on the quantity of gold.

Gold Allowance for Female Passengers:

Female passengers have a higher duty-free gold carrying limit of 40 grams, with a maximum value of INR 100,000. This limit applies to both gold jewellery and gold bars/coins. If a female passenger carries more than the prescribed limit, she will be required to pay customs duty on the excess amount, with rates depending on the exact quantity.

Gold Allowance for Children:

Children under the age of 15 have more relaxed customs duty exemptions. They are permitted to bring up to 40 grams of gold ornaments and bars without incurring any customs charges. If the amount of gold exceeds 40 grams, duty rates of 3%, 6%, or 10% will be applied, depending on the quantity. Proper documentation, including proof of identity and relationship to accompanying adults, is required for children carrying gold.

Customs Duty Charges on Gold Bars and Other Forms:

The customs duty charges on gold bars vary depending on the quantity imported. If the total quantity of gold bars is less than 1 kilogram per passenger, a 10% customs charge is levied on the value. For gold bars weighing less than 20 grams, no customs duty is applicable. A 3% duty is charged for gold bars weighing between 20-100 grams.

For gold coins and other forms, a 10% customs charge is applied if the total quantity is less than 100 grams per passenger. No customs duty is required for gold coins weighing less than 20 grams. A flat 10% customs charge is levied on the total value of gold coins between 20-100 grams.

Documentation Requirements:

To ensure a smooth clearance process, it is essential to have proper documentation supporting your gold declaration. This includes purchase invoices, certificates showing purity and quantity, and proof of identity and relationship (for children carrying gold). Failure to provide proper documentation may result in penalties and increased duties.

In summary, when travelling from Bahrain to India, it is important to adhere to the gold carrying limits and declare your gold possessions accurately at the airport. Proper documentation and compliance with customs regulations will ensure a hassle-free experience when bringing gold into India.

Frequently asked questions