Shipping Goods to India as Unaccompanied Baggage

NRIs returning to India can send their household and personal articles to India as cargo, or unaccompanied baggage. It is mandatory for the baggage to be dispatched within a month of the NRI’s return to India. The laws permit the baggage to land in India between 2 months to 12 months before the NRI returns, upon permission from the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Customs.

Unaccompanied baggage invites a levy of 35% plus 2% education cess.

Detained Baggage

Indian Customs can be requested to detain the passenger’s baggage for re-export when he leaves India or till he pays the duty on his import. Such baggage is subject to inspection by Customs officials.

Mishandled Baggage

A passenger who loses his baggage or has the baggage mishandled by the airlines, is entitled to have the same delivered free of cost to his home. The Customs Declaration Form is required to be submitted at the terminal so that all formalities are completed by officials when the bags arrive. The airlines need to give a certificate to the effect which would be countersigned by Customs to claim the free allowance portion. The passport and keys to the baggage need not be handed over to the customs in this case.

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