How much gold can you take from Dubai to India?

• How Much Gold is Allowed from Dubai to India
• Duty-Free Allowance
• Customs Duty on Gold
• FAQs

Gold holds great significance in Indian culture and tradition. It is commonly gifted at weddings and valued as a reliable investment. Given India’s strong affinity for gold jewellery, it’s natural for expatriates travelling from Dubai to wonder about the gold carrying limit from Dubai to India. So, without further ado, let’s get to our tips and guidance regarding how much gold is allowed from Dubai to India.

WHAT IS THE GOLD CARRYING LIMIT FROM DUBAI TO INDIA – AN OVERVIEW

Expats prefer buying gold in Dubai due to its competitive prices and exceptional quality. The Deira Gold Souk remains a top choice, attracting buyers from diverse backgrounds who seek authentic and beautifully crafted jewellery.

A few years ago, the Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) introduced a duty-free gold allowance in India. To ensure a hassle-free journey, passengers must provide accurate details when declaring gold at Indian customs.

Planning to bring gold? Let’s explore gold import rules in India from the UAE.

HOW MUCH GOLD IS ALLOWED FROM DUBAI TO INDIA WITHOUT DUTY?

If you are wondering how much gold can I bring from Dubai to India, Indian passport holders who have lived abroad for over a year can carry gold jewellery in their baggage, according to CBIC.

To avoid additional customs duties, travellers must follow the duty-free limits set by the Indian government. These limits vary based on gender and duration of stay abroad, making checking the latest regulations before travelling essential.

Duty-Free Limits for Male Passengers

For male passengers residing abroad for over a year, the duty-free limit for gold jewellery is up to 20 grams, with a maximum value of INR 50,000.

Duty-Free Limits for Female Passengers

Female travellers, on the other hand, have a higher duty-free limit. They can bring up to 40 grams of gold jewellery, not costing more than INR 1 lakh. If you carry more than this, you must pay the customs duty.

Children’s Eligibility for Duty-Free Gold

Children who have lived outside India for at least one year are also eligible for duty-free gold jewellery, meaning they can bring gold jewellery within the duty-free limits mentioned above without incurring customs duty charges.

Here’s a table to provide an overview of the customs gold limit in India for NRIs

Custom Duty Charges on Gold Bars, Coins and Jewellery

Indian passengers bringing gold from Dubai to India should remember that the duty-free allowance only applies to gold jewellery.

Please be aware that passengers can bring gold coins, biscuits or bars within the allowed limit. If you happen to carry gold in any other form, you will be held accountable for paying the necessary duty fees.

Custom tax charges for gold bars, coins and other ornaments are determined by the quantity imported. Let’s see the gold tax for passengers arriving from Dubai to India:

• 10% custom duty on gold bars less than 1 kg.
• 3% custom duty on gold bars weighing between 20 grams to 100 grams.
• No custom charges on gold bars weighing less than 20 grams.
• 10% charge on gold coins weighing between 20 grams to 100 grams.
• No custom tax on gold coins less than 20 grams.
• No custom tax is charged on jewellery if the weight doesn’t exceed 20 grams and the value is less than INR 50,000.

HOW MUCH GOLD CAN WE CARRY FROM DUBAI TO INDIA – LIMIT ON CARRYING GOLD

Now that you know about the duty charges on gold from Dubai to India or how much gold is allowed per passenger, let’s learn about customs duty.

Any Indian citizen or person holding a valid Indian passport who has been abroad for at least six months can import gold as personal baggage.

Passengers with a valid Indian passport who have stayed in Dubai or other foreign countries for over six months can bring 1kg of gold in any form by paying duty (13.75%). Also, if passengers carry more than the allowable gold limit to India from Dubai than the quantity stated above, they are liable to pay customs duty.

Understanding the Customs Limit for Gold from Dubai to India

When bringing gold into India, it is crucial to understand the customs duty rate by the CBIC. The duty rate varies depending on the duration of stay abroad for Indian Passport holders and persons of Indian origin.

For individuals who have stayed abroad for more than six months, a concessional rate of duty @12.5% + Social Welfare Surcharge @1.25% applies to the gold they bring to India.*

EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM GOLD LIMIT

As per the UAE Embassy website, the maximum gold limit for international travellers in India is up to 1 kg.

GOLD ALLOWED FROM DUBAI TO INDIA – CONDITIONS FOR IMPORTING ABOVE THE LIMIT

• The customs duty on all excess gold shall be paid in convertible foreign currency.
• Passengers must provide all necessary proof of purchase and other documentation to avoid the seizure of goods at Dubai Airport. 
• Failing to meet the strict requirements and declaration may lead to detention, prosecution or until all paperwork and documentation are complete. 
• Gold jewellery studded with expensive gemstones and pearls cannot be imported to India.
• The gold bullion and bars in Dubai must have all the necessary inscriptions. The information has to include the total weight, manufacturer and serial number. 
• A major condition for importing gold above 1kg is that the passenger should not have brought any gold or other precious metals and gemstones to India in the last six months, exceeding the maximum gold limit from Dubai to India. 
• After the short visits to the country, the passenger cannot avail of any form of exemption from paying customs duty on gold in India. 
• A passenger has to bring the gold as a piece of checked baggage, or the other option is to import the gold within fifteen days of their arrival in India as unaccompanied baggage.
• The passenger can obtain the permitted quantity of gold from the Customs bonded warehouse of the State Bank of India and Metals and Minerals Trading.
• The passenger must state their intention to obtain gold from the customs-bonded warehouse and pay the customs duty before the clearance.

Staying updated on the latest customs regulations is crucial when bringing duty-free gold from Dubai to India. Before travelling, review the list of prohibited items in checked baggage to avoid any issues at customs. These restrictions help prevent gold smuggling and ensure compliance with government policies.

FAQs ABOUT HOW MUCH GOLD IS ALLOWED FROM DUBAI TO INDIA

WHAT GUIDELINES SHOULD I KEEP IN MIND WHEN CARRYING GOLD TO INDIA FROM DUBAI?

In addition to the duty-free limits and customs duties, there are a few other guidelines to keep in mind when carrying gold from Dubai to India:

• Weight Limit:
  • The weight of the gold, including ornaments, should not exceed 1kg per person. Ensure that the total weight of the gold you carry complies with this limit.
• Value of Gold:
  • To avoid customs duty charges, it is essential to keep the value of the gold within the duty-free limit specified for your gender and duration of stay abroad.
• Documentation:
  • It is advisable to carry all relevant documents, such as purchase receipts or invoices, to prove the value and authenticity of your gold.
• Security:
  • Take the necessary precautions to secure the gold during your journey. Consider using a secure travel pouch or carrying the gold in your hand luggage to minimize the risk of loss or theft.

HOW MUCH GOLD CAN I CARRY FROM DUBAI TO INDIA AS A MALE PASSENGER?

The gold allowed from Dubai to India duty-free for male passengers is 20 grams worth INR 50,000.

CAN CHILDREN CARRY GOLD WITH THEM?

Children over two years of age are permitted to carry duty-free gold jewellery. They are not allowed to have gold biscuits, bars or coins.

WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO BUY GOLD?

You can explore various gold shops in Dubai to make a purchase. The final price you pay will depend on Dubai’s gold rate, which fluctuates daily.

CAN I WEAR SMALL PIECES OF JEWELLERY FOR DAILY USE WHILE TRAVELLING BACK TO INDIA?

Typically, customs officials do not have an issue with women wearing small jewellery such as a light chain or earrings.

IS JEWELLERY WITH STUDDED STONES INCLUDED IN THE DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE?

The duty-free allowance only applies to pure gold jewellery. Gold jewellery studded with pearls, diamonds or precious stones is not included in the duty-free allowance for Indians.

WHAT IS THE LIMIT OF DUTY-FREE GOLD ALLOWED ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO INDIA?

Male passengers are allowed a duty-free gold allowance of 20 grams (maximum INR 50,000), while female passengers are permitted a duty-free gold allowance of 40 grams (maximum INR 100,000). 

HOW MUCH GOLD I CAN CARRY FROM DUBAI TO INDIA WITHOUT COMPLETING A SIX-MONTH STAY?

Sadly, if you’ve been in Dubai for less than six months, you have to pay the additional duty of 38.5%.

And that’s everything you need to know about the gold limit from Dubai to India. It’s common for expats to convert their savings to gold, as the precious metal provides a hedge against inflation. So, we hope this guide covered all the details you were looking for.

Do you want to know why people prefer buying gold in Dubai instead of India? Our guide lists various advantages such as purity, bargaining power, and price differences to help you understand the difference in buying gold between the two destinations.

Want to buy fine gold jewellery? Here’s a list of the top gold shops in Abu Dhabi.