In a significant update effective February 2, 2026, the Indian government has simplified customs regulations under the Baggage Rules, 2026, primarily by scrapping the long-standing value-based caps on gold jewellery. For years, UAE expats were restricted by both weight and a rupee limit (₹50,000 for men and ₹1,00,000 for women), which had become increasingly difficult to follow as gold prices soared. Under the new rules, the value cap has been entirely removed, and the allowance is now determined purely by weight.
Female passengers who have resided abroad for more than one year can now carry up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free, while male passengers are allowed 20 grams. Because the monetary limit is gone, a female traveller can now legally carry 40 grams of gold even if its market value exceeds ₹6 lakh, a major relief for the NRI community. Additionally, the General Duty-Free Allowance (GDA) for other items like electronics and gifts has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. It is important to note that these exemptions apply only to “bona fide” jewellery (ornaments for personal use) and do not include gold coins or bars, which must still be declared and are subject to customs duty.
