To take gold to India

[Paresh]

Dear Friend,

I am on F-1 Visa , since last one year. Can I carry a gold to India in my trip. ? How much is permitted? what duty is charged? Is it economically good in comparision to puchase in India? I will appreciate your all possible suggestions in this respect

[Sam03]

up to 6KG is permitted

[tirthankar_b]

Its an old post. But I am replying as I got some more info.

Here is the official note about taking gold to India as part of baggage to India:
Who can import gold as baggage?

(a) Any passenger of Indian origin (even if a foreign national).

(b) Any passenger holding a valid passport issued under the Passport Act, 1967.

Conditions

(i) The weight of gold (including ornaments) should not exceed 10 kgs. per passenger.

(ii) Such passenger is coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad. However, short visits during these six months shall be ignored if the total duration of such short visits does not exceed 30 days and the passenger has not availed of the exemption under this scheme, at the time of such short visits.

(iii) The duty at the rate of Rs.250 per 10 gms. is paid by the passenger in convertible foreign currency.

(iv) Ornaments studded with stones and pearls will not be allowed to be imported under the scheme mentioned above.

(v) The passenger can either bring the gold himself at the time of arrival or import the same within fifteen days of his arrival in India as unaccompanied baggage.

(vi) The passenger can also obtain the permitted quantity of gold from Customs bonded warehouse of State Bank of India and Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation subject to conditions (i) and (iii). He is required to file a declaration in the prescribed Form before the Customs Officer at the time of arrival in India stating his intention to obtain the gold from the Customs bonded warehouse and pay the duty before clearance.



You can get more info on the following link:
http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/info-trvllrs/imp_pro_eqp.htm#imp_gold


Please note, that the Consulate office in San Francisco is very prompt and helpful in replying to queries over email.

http://www.cgisf.org/
INFO@CGISF.ORG