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 is a big part of Indian culture and tradition. From being gifted at weddings to being seen as a valuable investment, the precious metal is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. With the exceptional popularity of gold jewellery in India, it’s no surprise that expatriates who are travelling want to know the gold 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

HOW MUCH GOLD IS ALLOWED FROM DUBAI TO INDIA – AN OVERVIEW

The lower prices and premium quality are reasons expats love buying gold in Dubai. The Deira Gold Souk is one of the most popular places to buy gold in Dubai and people from different communities prefer it from this iconic market in Deira.

A few years ago, the Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs imposed a gold import limit from Dubai to India. So to travel without any hiccups, provide precise and thorough information when declaring gold to customs officials in India.

Want to carry gold from Dubai to India? Join us as we take a look at custom duties and charges that may apply.

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

Wondering how much gold is allowed from Dubai to India? According to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) website, any Indian passenger with a valid Indian passport (issued under the Passport Act of 1967) who has been residing abroad for more than one year is eligible to bring gold jewellery to India in their baggage.

To avoid paying extra customs duty when bringing gold from Dubai to India, it is crucial to adhere to the duty-free limits set by the Indian government. These limits differ based on the gender and duration of stay abroad.

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. This means they can bring gold jewellery within the duty-free limits mentioned above without incurring customs duty charges.

One commonly asked question is how much gold we can carry from Dubai to India. This table should give you a better idea:

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 amount you have to pay when bringing gold from Dubai to India.

• 10% custom duty on gold bars less than 1KG.
• 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 values in less than INR 50,000.

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

Now that you are aware of how much gold is allowed from Dubai to India 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 Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (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

According to the UAE Embassy website, Dubai to India gold limit should not exceed 10kgs per passenger when travelling to India. It includes the entire weight of a passenger’s gold, including ornaments.

Customs duty on coins and bars more than 1kg allowed gold from Dubai to India is 38.5%. So even though this larger limit may be allowed, it’s relatively uncommon to see people taking gold exceeding 1kg. 

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.

Regarding the duty free gold limit from Dubai to India, knowing the latest customs policies is essential. Make sure to go through the prohibited items in checked baggage before travelling back home or arriving in Dubai from your home country too. The restrictions are in place to discourage gold smuggling in the country.

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. It is vital to 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 visit many fantastic gold shops in Dubai to buy gold. Dubai gold price will determine how much you’ll pay for the purchase.

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 of buying gold between the two destinations.

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