Every country has its own policy of rules and regulations regarding travel and tourism of that particular country. So, obviously if somebody is planning to travel India then the knowledge of Travel Rules for India becomes utmost important. These travel rules are related to three essential elements - Individual/Group Passport, Visa and Custom duty on luggage and goods. Caper Travels India offers you all the travel tips and the travel and custom precautions to safeguard oneself from any kind of penalty charged on passengers if found guilty. We are also giving you the latest information about the Travel Rules of Indiaand Custom Rules for India separately for your convenient and memorable journey.
Travel Regulations for India
India Travel whether for tourism, business, studies or other purposes requires a valid passport and an entry visa. Visas can be obtained and issued from the Indian Embassies or Indian High Commissions abroad. One thing worth remembering is that the entry visas are not issued at the entry point. A passenger found guilty of traveling without an entry visa is detained and deported.
The Passport of the person concerned applying for the visa should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India. Foreigners holding nationality of any other country is required to submit proof of long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the country from where they are applying.
The visas can be of different categories; the major one being the tourist visa, business visa, student visa, transit visa, visa for missionaries, journalist visa, conference visa and employment visa. Depending on the individual and specific requirement, these visas can be obtained from the respective High Commission of India or the Indian Embassy abroad.
Exemption from Registration
If you are a foreign tourist and visiting India for 180 days or a shorter period, then you don't need to register yourself with any authority in the country. You can freely move about in the country, except to the prohibited places and restricted and protected regions.
Health Regulations
If the foreign tourists coming to India are originating or transiting through Yellow Fever endemic countries, then they must possess Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificateconforming to International Health Regulations.
Custom Rules for India
Visitors are usually required to make an oral baggage declaration of the baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They also have to obtain the Currency Declaration Form from the Customs department. They are also bound to fill in the Disembarkation Cardhanded over to them by the airlines during the course of the flight.
Custom Rules
For the smooth passage of the tourists at the airport check-in counters, two channels have been provided. One is green channel, meant for passengers not having any of the dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage. On the contrary, for passengers with dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high-value articles (to be entered on the Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form), the red channel is there at service.
Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE)
The Dutiable articles, unaccompanied baggage, or high-value articles carried along with the passenger must be entered on a Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE). These articles must be re-exported at the time of departure. A failure to re-export anything listed on the TBRE becomes a payable duty levied for each missing item.
Currencies
Cash, bank notes, and travelers' cheques up to US $1,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. If the amount exceeds the given limit then the passenger has to disclose in the Currency Declaration Form, the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques brought by him at the time of arrival. If done then there are no restrictions. This will not only enable him to exchange the currency brought in, but also to take the remaining currency way to home on departure. Any money in the form of travelers' cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc., in convertible currencies that tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized moneychangers and banks.
Custom Duties
The following duty-free possessions are permissible: clothes and jewelry, cameras and up to five rolls of film; binoculars, a portable musical instrument, a radio or portable tape recorder, a tent and camping equipment, fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 95 liters of liquor, and gifts not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20).
There is no limit to carrying items of personal effects for tourists (other than citizens of Nepalese and Bhutanese origin) coming from their respective countries. Articles that exceed the duty-free allowance and articles imported as unaccompanied baggage can be cleared on payment of duty at the rate of 61.2% ad valorem. However, cigarettes exceeding 200, cigars exceeding 50, tobacco exceeding 250 g, and alcoholic liquor and wine in excess of one liter each will attract higher duty. Separate rates of duty have been fixed for gold and silver.