Indian citizens flying in from abroad will soon be spared from filling the immigration form at airports. But those carrying Indian currency exceeding Rs. 10,000 or gold bullion or jewellery above the mandated limit will have to make a declaration.
The Customs Baggage Declaration (Amendment) Regulations, 2014, notified on February 10 and likely to come into force on March 1, say an Indian citizen need to fill the immigration form only when flying abroad.
But those returning will have to declare prohibited articles, gold jewellery (over the free allowance), gold bullion and Indian currency exceeding Rs. 10,000 in the new Indian Customs declaration form, which will be different from the detachable perforated strip with the present immigration card. The form carries additional fields for declaration of dutiable and prohibited goods to help check Customs duty fraud and keep a record of gold jewellery and bullion. Fields such as declaration of foreign currency remain. Besides, passengers will have to declare the number of pieces of baggage, including hand baggage.