Gold from Dubai to India: Customs Allowance & Duty
Carrying gold from Dubai to India? India’s baggage rules set weight-based duty-free limits, and 2026 removed the old value cap, only the gram limit remains.
Duty-free allowance
- Men: up to 20 grams of gold jewellery duty-free.
- Women: up to 40 grams duty-free.
- You must have stayed abroad for more than one year and arrive by air or sea.
- The old monetary caps (₹50,000 for men, ₹1,00,000 for women) were replaced by these weight limits.
What qualifies
The allowance is for personal jewellery, chains, bangles, earrings, rings. Gold bars, biscuits and coins are not duty-free, whatever the weight.
Excess gold
Jewellery beyond your gram band is dutiable, commonly at a concessional rate of around 6% for eligible long-stay passengers, up to a maximum of 1 kilogram per passenger. Declare it rather than risk penalties.
FAQ
How much gold can I carry from Dubai to India without duty?
20g for men, 40g for women, personal jewellery only, if you have lived abroad over a year.
Can I bring gold bars duty-free?
No, bars, biscuits and coins are always dutiable.
Rules change, confirm the current allowance and duty with Indian Customs (CBIC, cbic.gov.in) before you travel.
Convert your weight before you travel
Allowances are stated in grams but jewellery is often discussed in tola. The converter below moves between both instantly. It also shows the live value of that weight.
| Grams | — |
| Tola | — |
| Troy ounces | — |
| Kilograms | — |
| Masha | — |
| Ratti | — |
| 24K metal value | — |
Keep your paperwork in order
- Keep the original Dubai tax invoice showing weight, karat and price.
- Carry any refiner certificate that came with bars or coins.
- Declare honestly at the red channel if you exceed the free allowance.
Invoices establish the value customs will assess. Missing paperwork invites a higher valuation. It also complicates bringing the gold back later.
Work out the true landed cost
Dubai’s shelf price is only part of the comparison. Import duty and tax on arrival change the final maths. Read is gold cheaper in Dubai for the full picture.
To see the Dubai rate in rupees, use our rate in Indian rupees page. For the purchase itself, the gold calculator gives the AED total.