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If you’re an NRI flying back to India from Canada and also carrying gold, the rules are specific and they have changed now. When you know the exact limits before you travel, it saves you from unexpected customs duty, confiscation, or even delays at the airport.
| Duty-Free Allowance | |
| Male passenger | 20 gm of gold jewellery |
| Female passenger | 40 gm of gold jewellery |
| Gold bars and coins | No duty free allowance |
| Maximum import quantity | 1 kilogram per passenger |
| Customs duty above limit | Approximately 15% of value |
| Minimum stay abroad | 6 continuous months |
Two conditions determine whether you get the duty-free allowance or pay customs on everything.
If you have been abroad for less than six months, there is no duty free allowance. Customs duty applies on all gold you carry, regardless of how much it is.
India’s Customs Baggage Rules changed in February 2026 and the most important update for NRIs is this: the value cap on duty-free jewellery has been removed entirely.
Only the weight limit now applies:
Male passengers: up to 20 grams of gold jewellery duty-free
Female passengers: up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free
Previously, these limits came with value caps of Rs 50,000 for men and Rs 1,00,000 for women. Those caps no longer apply.
For NRIs flying back to India, this removes a restriction that caught a lot of travelers out at customs. And if you’re traveling with valuables and want priority handling and higher baggage allowance, compare business class flights to India before you book.
If you’re carrying gold jewellery above 20 grams as a male passenger or above 40 grams as a female passenger, customs duty applies on the excess amount.
The current customs duty on gold is approx. 15% of the total value (12.5% Basic Customs Duty & 2.5% Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess). It must be paid in convertible foreign currency at the airport.
The maximum quantity of gold any eligible passenger can import is 1 kilogram, approximately 2.2 pounds. Carrying more than 1 kilogram is prohibited and will result in confiscation and potential prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962.
Yes, but with no duty-free allowance. Gold coins, bars, and biscuits do not qualify for the duty-free weight limit — that exemption applies only to gold jewellery for personal use. Any gold in coin or bar form is subject to customs duty from the first gram.
Gold studded with pearls or precious stones is also not permitted under standard import rules.
Gold can be imported in the form of jewellery, coins, or bars. But:
You can also bring gold as unaccompanied baggage within 15 days of your arrival in India — the same rules and limits apply.
Having the papers before you fly to India avoids delays at customs and supports your duty free claim if questioned. So, carry the following:
Purchase invoices – proof of where and when the gold was bought. Particularly important for gold purchased in Canada where prices and craftsmanship differ from Indian market rates.
Valuation certificate – for high-value pieces, a certified valuation from a recognized jeweller supports your customs declaration and confirms the gold’s weight and purity.
Passport – valid Indian passport or proof of Indian origin. You will need this to qualify for the NRI gold allowance.
Proof of overseas stay – documentation confirming you have lived outside India for at least six continuous months. This can include employment records, tenancy agreements, utility bills, or visa stamps in your passport.
OCI or PIO card – if applicable, carry this alongside your passport as additional proof of Indian origin.
Keep all documents accessible in your carry-on rather than checked baggage. You’ll need them at the Red Channel if you’re declaring gold above the duty free limit.
Any gold above the duty-free limit must be declared at the Red Channel at Indian customs on arrival. Failing to declare gold above permitted limits can result in confiscation and a fine under the Customs Act, 1962.
The Indian government’s ATITHI mobile app also allows pre-arrival declarations for passengers carrying dutiable items — worth using if you’re carrying gold above the duty-free threshold to avoid delays at the airport.
The practical rule: if you’re carrying any gold beyond your personal jewellery within the weight limits, declare it. The consequences of not declaring are significantly worse than paying the duty.
Now that you know exactly how much gold you can carry to India as an NRI, the next step is sorting your flights.
Canada to India is one of the longer and more expensive international routes in the world, and the price difference between booking smart and booking blind can be significant. Tripbeam Canada offers you cheapest fares across all major carriers. Fares that do not show up on standard platforms or airline websites.
Compare Canada to India flights on Tripbeam before you book anywhere else.
A) Male passengers can bring up to 20 grams of gold jewellery duty free and female passengers up to 40 grams. The value cap that previously applied has been removed and now only the weight limit applies. The maximum any passenger can import is 1 kilogram total.
A) Approximately 15% of the total value (12.5% Basic Customs Duty plus 2.5% Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess). This applies to gold above the duty free jewellery weight limits and must be paid in convertible foreign currency.
A) Yes, but there is no duty-free allowance on gold bars or coins and customs duty applies from the first gram. Only gold jewellery for personal use qualifies for the duty-free weight exemption.
A) Yes. Gold worn on your person during travel counts toward your duty-free weight limit the same as gold packed in your baggage. A female passenger wearing 40 grams of jewellery on arrival has used her full duty-free allowance.
A) Any gold above the duty-free limit must be declared at the Red Channel on arrival. Failure to declare can result in confiscation and prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962.
A) At least six continuous months outside India before the date of arrival. Passengers who have been abroad for less than six months receive no duty-free gold allowance.
A) Yes. Gold can be imported as unaccompanied baggage within 15 days of your arrival in India, subject to the same weight limits and customs duty rules.
A) Purchase invoices, a valuation certificate for high-value pieces, your valid Indian passport or proof of Indian origin, and documentation confirming at least six months of continuous overseas stay. OCI or PIO cards should also be carried if applicable.
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