Indian Customs Declaration Form (With Updated Rules 2023)

When travelling to India, you may be required to complete the Indian Customs Declaration Form. This article explains what information is required on the form, and provides some tips on how to complete it accurately.

By following these simple guidelines, travellers can help make sure that their arrival in India goes as smoothly as possible.

What is a Customs Declaration Form?

In order to help ensure that the country’s customs process runs smoothly, travellers may be required to fill out a customs declaration form. This form will provide officials with information about the traveller and the items they are bringing into the country.

Is the Customs Declaration Form Mandatory for all Travellers to India?

Since 2016, Customs Declaration Form is mandatory only for passengers having prohibited or dutiable goods in their possession or goods in excess of their eligible duty-free allowance.

Earlier it was mandatory for all passengers and known as a disembarkation card.

How to Get the Indian Customs Declaration Form

If you are travelling to an Indian airport from outside India, you can request the cabin crew for Customs Declaration Form. Most airlines will have copies of the form to distribute if needed. In case you don’t get it from your flight, you can get it at the port of entry before Immigration Counter.

If you have goods above the duty-free limit, make sure to file the correct declaration of your baggage in the Customs Declaration Form and opt for the Red Channel.

Contents of Indian Customs Declaration Form

The Customs Declaration Form asks for the following details:

1. Name of the Passenger
2. Passport Number
3. Nationality
4. Date of Arrival
5. Flight No.
6. Number of Baggages (including hand baggage)
7. Country from which coming
8. Countries visited in the last six days
9. The total value of dutiable goods being imported (Rs.)
10. Are you bringing the following items into India? (please tick Yes or No)

Prohibited Articles

• Gold jewellery (over Free Allowance)
• Gold Bullion
• Meat and meat products/dairy products/fish/poultry products
• Seeds/plants/seeds/fruits/flowers/other planting material
• Satellite phone
• Indian currency exceeding Rs. 10,000
• Foreign currency notes exceed US$ 5,000 or equivalent
• The aggregate value of foreign exchange including currency exceeds US$ 10,000 or equivalent.

In case the answer to any of the above questions is ‘Yes’, you have to report to Customs Officer at the Red Channel counter.

READ: Guide: Duty-Free Allowance For Travellers To India

Indian Customs Declaration Form Sample

Here is the updated sample form, extracted from the CBIC Travellers Guide.

You can download a sample of the Indian Customs Declaration Form in PDF here.

Tips for Filling up Indian Customs Declaration Form

Before filling out the form, read the instructions on the form. Make sure you are aware of the prohibited goods and duty-free allowance.

It is important to be as accurate and detailed as possible when filling out the form, as providing false or incomplete information can result in delays or other problems. It is a legal offence not to declare dutiable items.

Visitors are also required to declare if they are carrying any currency in excess of the allowed limits.

READ: Indian Customs Rules For Carrying Currency

What to do With the Customs Declaration Form

While exiting the airport terminal you have to go through the Red Channel. At the exit give the form to the customs official who will stamp the form and return it back to you. If there is any item that you need to pay the duty on, you can pay the duty here.

Additionally, visitors should be aware that they may be asked to open their luggage for inspection at any time. However, if everything is in order, the process of clearing customs should be fairly straightforward.

It is important to keep this form safe, as you may need to show it when exiting the country. For those who lose their form, replacement copies can be obtained from the customs office at the airport.

Customs Declaration Through ATITHI Mobile App

Passengers with dutiable goods can also file a declaration of dutiable items as well as currency even before boarding the flight to India by using the ATITHI mobile app.

READ NEXT: Guide To ATITHI App For Indian Customs Declaration

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Source: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs

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