Who is a Tourist? | Commercial Merchandise and Equipment | Gifts and souvenirs | Indian Currency | Foreign Currency | Channels of Customs Clearance | Importation Of Weapons | Prohibited in the Cities | Exit Formalities | Income Tax Clearance | Export of Articles | Antiquities and Art Objects | Safari Trophies | Travel Insurance | Driving License | Credit Cards | Electricity | Indrail Pass | Tourist Information Centers

LAW AND REGULATIONS: A tourist is defined as a person, who is not a normal resident of India, enters the country for a stay of not more than six months in any twelve-month period for legitimate non-immigration purposes, such as touring, recreation, sports, health, family reasons, study, pilgrimage or business. Visitors who come under this definition, except citizens of Nepal, will be entitled to concessions under the Tourist Baggage Rules 1988, whether they happen to possess Tourist, Transit of Entry Visa or not.

Refusal of Exemption in Certain Cases. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules, the proper officer may refuse to a tourist exemption granted by these Rules in any of the following cases, namely

A husband and wife traveling together are entitled to the baggage concessions separately. Baggage Declaration. Visitors are generally required to make oral baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their (US $ 2,500), in which case they will have to obtain a currency declaration form before leaving Customs. They should fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the airlines during the course of the flight.

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Separate regulations govern the import of commercial samples and merchandise, and professional equipment. Travelers should consult with the High Commission before departure.

These may be imported free of duty up to a value of Rs. 4,000 if the tourist is of foreign origin, and up to a value of Rs.12,000 if the tourist is of Indian origin.

In certain cases, such tourists may import personal and household effects in excess of the limits described in the two sections above. Contact the High Commission for further information.

As in most other countries, there are two customs channels red for those carrying dutiable goods, and green for those who are not. If in doubt, you should go through the red channel.

Mishandled Baggage. In case your baggage has been lost or mishandled by the airlines, please obtain a certificate to this effect from the airline and get it counter-signed by Indian Customs indicating specifically the unused portion of the duty - free allowance.

In addition to the gift items mentioned above, goods up to the value of Rs.12,000 for non-resident Indians and Rs. 4,000 for foreigners are exempt from the duty. Any articles over and above the prescribed limit are liable to duty depending upon the nature and value of the articles. For further information contact the Consular section of the High Commission of India.

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Importation of weapons is prohibited. Enquire at the High Commission before departure for full details. The importation of specialized equipment not covered by Tourist Baggage rules explained above should likewise enquire at the High Commission before departure for details of the procedures involved.

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Carnet. Vehicles imported under the carnet, issued by any internationally recognized automobile association or club belonging to the Alliance Internationale de Tourism, Geneva, are allowed duty-free for a period of 6 months only. The same regulation applies to the import of motorcycles , bicycles with motor , and trailers (whether imported with the vehicle or separately). Carnet De Passage are accepted by the Government of India in respect of all temporary visitors except

For holders of Tourist and Transit Visas, None. For holders of Entry Visas. All visitors holding Registration Certificates have to obtain, before departure, exit endorsements from the Registration Officer of the district in which they were registered. Enquire at the High commission for a list of these Registration Offices.

All visitors who are not domiciled in India are exempted from income tax clearance certificate at the time of leaving the country provided that the total period spent in India does not exceed 180 days and that they are not engaged in gainful employment. All other visitors are requested to obtain an income tax clearance exemption Certificate from the foreign section of Income Tax Department in Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.

Visitors can bring articles for personal use, including cameras with 5 rolls of film, a reasonable quantity of jewellery, a pair of binoculars, a portable typewriter, a Laptop Computer and professional equipment. On arrival, you will have to give an undertaking on a Tourist Baggage Re-Export ((TBRE) form , available with Customs officials at the Airport, that you will take these items back when you leave. This form, along with the articles that are entered in it, have to be shown to the Customs officials at the time of departure. Designed `high-value articles' are also allowed in, but on a written undertaking that they will be taken back at the time of departure. Please obtain a Landing Certificate if you are expecting unaccompanied baggage and for mishandled baggage.

You can bring in 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250gms of tobacco) and liquor and wines up to 32 oz. ( 1litre). You are allowed to bring in any amount of foreign currency in cash or traveler's cheques. However, if you are carrying more than US $ 2500 or equivalent, you have to declare it on arrival. Fill up the Currency declaration Form (CDF) which is to be attested by the customs officer. Indian Currency cannot be brought in or taken out of the country.

Departure from India. All persons except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan leaving by road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of departure. All visitors other than tourists holding Registration Certificates should get their Registration certificates endorsed by the appropriate registration authorities before departure. Registration Certificates and Residential. Permits are to be surrendered at the port of departure.

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(B) Gold Jewellery Silver ware up to a value of Rs.1,00,000 (and in excess of that only after obtaining a permit from the RBI, Indian Central Bank).

(C) Other Jewellery and Precious Stones, but if of high value, these should be appraised by the customs Appraiser at the airport before departure.

As a general rule, get an RBI permit for goods of high value. There are restrictions on the export of antiques and art objects which are more than 100 years old. In the case of doubt, consult the Director ,Antiquities , Archaeological Survey of India Janpath (3017443). It is advisable to get a certificate of proof.

If you stay in India for more than 120 days (four months, from the date of the issue of the visa, regardless of your date of entry, into India, you would be required to furnish a tax clearance certificate to leave the country. This is to prove that you did not earn money while in India and your trip was financed with the money brought in. If you are planning to stay in India for more than 4 months, be careful with your documents relating travel finance.

If you are not an Indian Passport holder and are planning to stay in India for more than four months, apply for the certificate at the Income Tax Department, Central Revenue Building ( ITO), Vicars Marg (3316161/ 3317828)Rs. 500 has to be paid at the airport as Foreign Travel Tax when leaving the Country. For travel to Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka , Bhutan, Mynamar, Maldives, Afghanistan, tax is Rs. 150. Remember, if you are arriving by an International Flight and have to take a domestic airline for an onward flight, you would have to go from Terminal 2 to Terminal I. The Indira Gandhi International is one of the India's busiest tourist entry points. You would arrive at this airport also to go to the neighboring regions of north and northwest India. It is virtually impossible to get 3 months visa extended. Only the 6 months tourist visa can be extended. It can be quite a bother to extend it beyond a 15 day-period. Avoid it unless there is an emergency. A 15 days extension on the 6- months visa is issued by the
Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO) .
Hans Bhavan , First Floor,
Bahadursha Zafar Marg   Ph: 3319781 (MAP 15 C4).

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Take a travel insurance policy, covering theft and loss, before coming to India. Also buy a medical insurance. There are several kinds of insurance policies. Make the right choice after consulting a reliable travel agent in your country. Policies that cover adventure sports like trekking, or river rafting are more expensive.

A valid International Driving License is necessary if you wish to drive a car or a motor cycle in India and it is advisable to get one before coming. 14 F Connaught Place ; New Delhi (3314071) extends help to AA members from all countries. If you do not have an International Driving License and still wish to drive in India you can get a temporary driving license, provided you are carrying a valid driving license of your country. You may still be required to give a test to check your knowledge of road signs.

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Almost all kinds of cards are accepted in India. It should however me noted that credit cards are not as widely available and used in India as it is abroad. It advisable to have sufficient liquid money preferably as travelers checks.

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Indrail Passes for travel in India by train can be booked in India or abroad. The fare has to be paid in foreign currency. The passes are valid for 7 to 90 days. You can buy Indrail passes at the International Travel Bureau in New Delhi Railway Station. Indrail passes are also available at the railway reservation offices at Chandigarh, Varanasi and Amristar.

All railway stations have a licensed porter facility. The trade mark for the porters is loose red kurta or shirt worn over white dhoti. They sport a metal armband with a number on it. It is advisable to use the services of the licensed porter or coolie, as he is called, and to note the number on his arm band since they tend to move rapidly you may lose them in the crowd. If you are arriving by a late night train and happen to be in Delhi for the first time, railway stations are possibly the safest place to stay until morning. There are Upper Class Waiting Rooms in all stations and Retiring Rooms in ail important railway stations.

There are pre-paid service counters for taxis and auto rickshaws in all major stations. Buses are available but they are likely to be crowded. First timers to India are advised to avoid them , especially if they have luggage Your health during your travel in India depends on three things precautions taken before arrival, day today health care, and efficiency in tackling emergencies. While in India, use mosquito repellent ointment. If you are not already vaccinated against hepatitis B get it done before traveling and carry your own first aid kit. There are any number of good doctors, private clinics hospitals nursing homes and well-established government hospitals all over India. For travel health, it is best to use your common sense. Take care of what you eat or drink. That is the most important health rule. Water may be contaminated. Therefore it is best to carry your own mineral water. Bottled mineral water and aerated drinks are easily available and are good substitute for water. Hot tea and coffee are also good alternatives. Indian travelers do not worry too much about water because their constitution is tuned to local conditions. Even so, contaminated drinking water remains the main reason for most stomach-diseases. Diarrhea (the English call it 'Delhi belly') is the most common stomach ailment. Take a three or five-day course of anti-diarrhea tablet duly prescribed by a doctor.

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