Gold allowance for Indian residents traveling from UAE

If you are buying gold in the UAE and planning to take it to India, there are clear customs rules to follow. Indian residents are allowed to bring a small quantity of jewellery duty-free: men can carry up to 20 grams, valued at around INR50,000, while women can carry up to 40 grams worth about INR100,000. The duty-free allowance applies only to jewellery — gold coins and bars are not included and will always attract customs duty. Anything above the duty-free limit is subject to additional customs charges. Typically, the duty starts at about 3% for 20–50 grams, rises to 6% for 50–100 grams, and can go up to 10% for larger quantities.

Customs duty on gold when staying abroad over 6 months

For those who have stayed abroad for more than six months, there is a concessional duty of around 13.7% on up to 1 kilogram of gold, including jewellery, coins, or bars. It’s important to note that this 1 kg limit encompasses both duty-free and dutiable portions. For example, if a male passenger is allowed a duty-free allowance of 20 grams of gold jewellery worth up to INR50,000, the remaining 980 grams would be subject to customs duty.

Declaring gold purchases at customs

To avoid fines or confiscation, travellers should always declare gold beyond the duty-free allowance, carry purchase invoices, and be prepared for customs checks on arrival. Compliance with these rules ensures a smooth process when bringing gold from the UAE into India.