Overview
- New Baggage Rules, 2026 took effect on February 2, raising the duty‑free allowance for Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin to ₹75,000 and for foreign tourists to ₹25,000.
- Passengers aged 18 or older may bring one new laptop or notepad duty‑free, and revised allowances clarify jewellery limits and crew entitlements at final pay‑off.
- The Finance Bill cuts the customs tariff on all dutiable goods imported for personal use to a flat 10% from April 1, 2026, excluding items such as cars, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, printed books and goods requiring import licences.
- Industry reports say a new 10% social welfare surcharge on customs will partly offset the savings from the duty reduction, and some platforms still collect higher import‑fee deposits.
- Alongside the rate changes, the Budget announces a trust‑based Customs Integrated System with a single digital window and expanded duty‑deferral, while targeted tariff hikes hit select inputs like potassium hydroxide and umbrella parts.