TRANSFER OF RESIDENCE Eligibility Passengers staying abroad for a period of not less than two years can transfer their residence to India. They are allowed to import personal effects and house passenger in te hold articles free of duty subject to the specified limits. Articles can be used or new ones and can also be purchased by transit or from any Duty Free Shops.   Articles Allowed Articles are allowed to be brought into India by a person transferring his residence subject to the following conditions:       Sl.No. Item Limit Conditions 1. VCR/VCP/VTR Only one piece of any of the 3 items Total  value of all such items should not exceed Rs.1,50,000/- Duty at the following rate is payable: Basic Duty - 25% Surcharge - 10% SAD - 4% Color TV/Monochrome TV Only one piece of any of the 2 items 2. Articles other than: - Fire arms - Catridges of firearms - Cigarettes / Cigars / Tobacco - Alcoholic liquor / wines - Gold / Silver Upto Rs.12,000/-   3. Used personal and household articles other than: - Fire arms - Cartridges of fire arms - Cigarettes / Cigars / Tobacco - Alcoholic liquor / wines - Gold or Silver - Color / Monochrome TV - VCR / VCP / VTR - Washing Machine. - Electrical / Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cooking Range (other than Electrical / Liquefied Petroleum Gas stoves with not more than two burners and without any extra attachment) - Dish Washer - Music System - Personal Computer - Air Conditioner. - Refrigerator - Deep Freezer - Microwave Oven - Video camera or the combination of such video camera with one or more of the following goods, namely:    * Television Receiver;    * Sound recording or       reproducing apparatus;    * Video reproducing       apparatus. - Word Processing Machine. - Fax machine - Vessels - Aircraft - Cinematographic films of 35mm and above - Gold or silver, in any form, other than ornaments. No limit Passenger has stayed abroad for atleast immediately preceding two years. Passenger has not stayed in India beyond 6 months during short visits to India during the preceding two years. Passenger has not availed this concession in the preceding three years 4. Jewellery Male: Rs.10,000/- Female: Rs.20,000/- Passenger has stayed abroad for atleast immediately preceding two years. Passenger has not stayed in India beyond 6 months during short visits to India during the preceding two years. Passenger has not availed this concession in the preceding three years 5. Jewellery taken out earlier by the passenger or by his family members from India No limit The fact should be proved to the Assistant Commissioner of Customs. Export Certificate given at the time of taking jewellery out of India should be produced. 6. Fire Arms One number It is in possession and use for a minimum period of one year by the passenger. It should not be sold, loaned, transferred or otherwise parted with during the lifetime of the passenger. Duty @ 150% is payable.     House hold effects / articles include the following: Jewellery Motor vehicles Cinematograph films of 35 mm and above Air conditioners Refrigerators Deep freezers Professional equipments, etc. Personal computer Video recorders Color television Music systems Cameras Typewriter (ordinary / electrical) Used tapes Cassette tapes Video tapes Computer software      The above concessions are in addition to the General Duty Free Allowance available to passengers coming to India as tourist / non-tourist.     Exemption / Condonation In case the passenger is not in a position to satisfy the conditions specified for importing personal and household effects, the conditions may be exempted / condoned in the following manner:     Condition Exemption / Condonation Shortfall upto two (2) months in stay abroad of two years By Assistant Commissioner of Customs Short visits to India exceed two (2) months By Commissioner of Customs     Special Cases 1. Minors are also eligible for the concessions under this category. 2. Indian Diplomats coming to India within a period of two years can avail the concessions by providing a certificate from the Ministry of External Affairs. 3. On both wife and husband transferring their residence to India, the concessions are available to them separately and on individual basis. 4. The facility of concessions is available to all the members of the family taken together when they are having a common establishment and are staying in the same house abroad. Transfer of residence from Nepal (or) Bhutan  1. Persons employed in the Indian Embassy or in the Indian Co-operation Mission and providing certificate issued by authorized officers about their bonafide transfer of residence are allowed concession under this head. 2. Any person other than the above can also transfer his residence by providing a certificate issued by the Indian Embassy.

Other baggage rules...   •   Baggage Rules an Introduction   •   Baggage Rules Pertaining To Residents   •   Transfer of Residence   •   Duty Drawback and Refund of Duty   •   Import Of Certain Items   •   Import of Gold and Silver as Baggage   •   Import Of Cars and other Vehicles into India   •   Emigrating Indians - Formalities   •   Incoming & Outgoing DO's   •   Incoming & Outgoing Dont's   •   Baggage Rules   •   General information on "Baggage"   •   Baggage Rules Pertaining To Tourists   •   Baggage Handling   •   Baggage Concealment   •   Export of Certain Items   •   Import of Pet Animals into India   •   Emigration Check   •   International Credit Cards   •   Baggage Rules 1999   •   Protector of Emigrants