KUWAIT CITY, Sept 13: Indian expatriates returning from Kuwait with gold should be aware that customs duties vary based on both the quantity and form of gold and the duration of their stay abroad, according to the Indian Customs Baggage Rules.

Travellers who have stayed abroad for over one year are allowed to bring gold jewellery duty-free, capped at 20 grams (₹50,000) for men and 40 grams (₹1,00,000) for women. The exemption does not apply to gold bars, coins, or biscuits, which are taxed regardless of time spent abroad.

For those returning after a stay between 6 and 12 months, a concessional duty of 13.75% applies on up to 1 kilogram of gold, including jewellery, bars, and coins.

Travellers who have spent less than 6 months abroad face the highest customs duty, approximately 38.5%, with no duty-free allowance offered even for jewellery.

Additional slab-based duties apply when travellers exceed the exempted jewellery limits:

Authorities advise passengers to declare all gold above exemption limits at the Red Channel upon arrival in India. Failure to do so may result in confiscation, penalties, or prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962.

Travellers are also urged to carry purchase receipts specifying weight, purity, and value, as customs officials rely on daily international gold prices but use invoices to verify legitimacy.

Only jewellery qualifies for a duty-free allowance; bars, coins, and biscuits are subject to duty in all cases. Officials recommend using foreign currency or low-fee credit cards to pay duties and minimize transaction costs.

The rules are governed by the Baggage Rules, 2016, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The classification is based on time abroad:

Experts suggest that smart planning and full compliance are essential for Indian expats from Kuwait seeking to avoid unexpected customs charges at airports.