mumbai passport customs office

Cash, bank notes and travellers' cheques up to US$ 1,000 or equivalent, need not be declared at the time of entry. However, if one is bringing larger amount of foreign currency or travellers' cheques a declaration should be made in the Currency Declaration Form given upon on arrival. This will enable him not only to exchange the currency bought in, but also to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. There are certain restrictions regarding bringing or taking out large amount of Indian currency into or out of the country. For such purposes the permission of Reserve Bank of India may be required.

Visitors to India need the following documents:

· A valid passport.
· An entry, transit or tourist visa (should be obainted prior to travelling to India from an Indian Consulate or Embassy in the home country). Should allow for 4-6 weeks to obtain the visa via mail. Tourist visa is generally valid for 120 days. If the travel plans involove travelling in and out of India, a mulitple entry visa shoudl be obtained.
· If the visa for stay in India is for more than 180 days, a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained within 15 days of arrival from the nearest Foreigners' Registration Office. Four photographs are required for this purpose.

Travellers can walk through the Green Channel if they do not have any of the followings:

· No dutiable goods. The following items are permissible duty free- clothes and personal jewellery, cameras and up to five rolls of film; binoculars, a portable musical instrument, a radio or portable tape recorder, a tent and camping equipment, fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1litres of liquor, and gifts not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20). The allowable limit for some of the items are also indicated on the disembarkation form that you fill upon arrival.
· No high value articles that you will be leaving behind.
· Foreign exchange of more than US $2,500 (there is no limit on the amount that you may carry as travellers cheques)
· No unaccompanied baggage that will be arriving at a later time.
However, if any of the above conditions apply, then please walk through the Red Channel. For any high value items (e.g. laptop, video cameras, etc.) that you will be taking back out of the country, it is useful to enquire at the time of clearing customs-immigration regarding their export and, if necessary, fill in the Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form.