Laptop Rule

Import duty for bringing laptops into India

"Indian Customs do not bother about laptops anymore"

In General, If you are travelling from USA, Canada, Australia, Europe,.. and aged above 18 years... stayed more then 3 days abroad... carried on the person (carry on baggage) or as accompanied baggage (checked baggage)... you are entilted Duty Free Allowance of Rs 25000 and 1 Laptop (18 years / one Laptop Duty Free) + unlimited used personal effects (excluding jewellery)

Layman's Terms
If you are 18+ years and has stayed more then 3 days overseas...then you are allowed 1 Laptop (Notebook) per Passenger

Free of Customs Duty . Duty Free Allowance doesn't apply to the laptop



Desktop, LCD and Other Computer Accessories are not covered under Laptop Rule



Customs Website:
One laptop computer (notebook computer) over and above the said free allowances mentioned is also allowed duty free if imported by any passenger of the age of 18 years and above

Import as Gift Custom Circular
Import of goods upto the value of Rs. 5,000/- is allowed as gift, duty free. This exemption is allowed only for bonafide gifts imported by air or post. For the purpose of calculation of this value of Rs. 5,000/- the air freight or postal charges paid are not added.

What should you do when you leave India?
If you intend taking out with you articles of high value such as a camera, laptop, notebook computer, video camera or jewellery, be sure to ask the Customs Officer, at the time of your departure, for an export certificate for such articles. He will examine the items and certify that they are being taken out of India by you.

Keep this certificate safe with you and when you return to India, show the Certificate to the Customs Officer who will then be able to pass these free of duty.

The advantage of having the Export Certificate is that the concessions you are entitled to, when you return, are not affected.

Please take special care to obtain an Export Certificate in respect of jewellery that you intend to take out to avoid any problem on your return.

Export Certificate
Goods taken out from India by a passenger while going abroad can be imported again into India free of duty provided the passenger had received an export certificate from the Customs in respect of that particular item while going abroad.


FAQs on Laptop / Notebook Imports into India

Import cost for a laptop in india

Is it custom free if i import laptop from outside india?
I might get a laptop as a gift from USA, what will be the charge when i receive it india including all charges ? it is a gift will there be any customs duty?

• Yes it will be too costly if u need to pay custom duty... ask some one to carry it along as a luggage and show it as personal item

I have 2 laptops >> One I had bought from India. Are Both Duty Free ?

• If you are lucky you can walk away without any hassles but recently I had taken my Laptop on my tour and fortunately i had taken a Customs Export Certificate while going because when I landed at Bombay the customs officer insisted on seeing that certificate otherwise he would have levied customs duty on that. I think it is matter of luck.

Does it make financial sense to buy laptop from USA and send it to India instead of buying one in India itself.?

• Laptops are Cheaper In USA
• Warrenty may not be covered in India if the device is bought in USA.
• Buy Global Warrenty For India Coverage...I think BestBuy Offers It

Suggestion: Laptops cannot be repaired in India...so u will have to send it back to US to replace it....better off buying high end laptops like HP...failure chances are slim

"Indian Customs Officers are masters in intepreting rules, regulations, circulars, notices etc according to their wills & fancies to harass individuals"

Registering a complaint : vigilance