New Flight Cash Limit: Carrying cash or valuables while traveling is very common. Often, for our needs, we have to carry a large amount of money or gold jewelry from one city to another. But do you know that there are specific rules for carrying cash or gold during air travel? If you don’t follow the rules, you could face legal complications, and even fines or confiscation of your valuable items. Therefore, it is essential to know these rules before you travel.
Rules for Carrying Cash on Domestic Flights
In India, there is no specific limit on how much cash you can carry on a domestic flight. However, the Income Tax Department and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have issued some guidelines that should be followed.
- Cash over ₹50,000: If you have more than ₹50,000 in cash, security officials can ask you about the source of the money. Therefore, you must have the necessary documents to prove the source of that money, such as a bank statement or withdrawal slip.
- Cash over ₹2 lakh: If you are traveling with more than ₹2 lakh in cash, the Income Tax Department can start an investigation against you. If you cannot prove the source of the money, it can be confiscated, and you may also have to pay a hefty fine. Therefore, it is necessary to be well-prepared before traveling with a large amount of money.
Rules for Carrying Gold on Domestic Flights
Jewelry or gold is an important part of Indian culture. Many people carry gold jewelry with them when going to a wedding or other functions. In this case, too, some rules should be followed.
- Amount of Gold: There is no specific limit for carrying gold on domestic flights. However, according to the Income Tax Department guidelines, a married woman can carry up to 500 grams, an unmarried woman up to 250 grams, and a man up to 100 grams of gold. This amount of gold is considered safe for personal use.
- Necessary Documents: If you are traveling with more gold than this, it is mandatory to have the purchase bill or proof of ownership of the gold. If you cannot show these documents, officials can confiscate your gold.
Rules for International Travel
The rules are even stricter for international travel.
- Arriving in India from Abroad:
- A male passenger can bring gold worth up to ₹50,000 and a female passenger up to ₹1,00,000 without paying duty.
- In terms of cash, you can bring in up to 5,000 US dollars. If the total value of cash and traveler’s checks exceeds 10,000 US dollars, you must declare it to customs.
- Going Abroad from India:
- An Indian passenger can carry foreign currency up to 3,000 US dollars. If more is needed, permission must be obtained from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- In the case of Indian currency, a passenger can carry a maximum of ₹25,000 abroad.
Following these rules while traveling will allow you to complete your journey safely and without any worries. So, be sure to keep these points in mind the next time you plan your trip.
