India Custom

Custom
According to customs, a "tourist" is defined as a person not normally residing in India, who enters India for a period up to six months in the course of any twelve-month period, for legitimate non-immigration purposes, such as touring, recreation, sports, health, family reason, study, pilgrimage or business. Stay beyond a period of six months in India requires permission from the Collector of Customs or the CBEC depending on whether to extended the stay  for 18 months or more. If satisfied by the necessity, the board may extend the period of stay beyond 2 years. Passengers who are covered by this definition, except passengers of Nepal origin arriving from Nepal, will be entitled to concessions under the Tourist Baggage Rules 1978, whether they happen to possess Tourist, Transit or Entry Visa or not.
Refusal of exemption
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 :
When the total quantity of a commodity imported by a tourist exceeds substantially the limit laid down in these Rules.When the tourist enters India more than once a month.
When the tourist is under 17 years of age. (husband and the wife travelling together are entitled to a baggage concessions separately.)Baggage Declaration
Visitors are generally required to make oral baggage declarations in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession. Visitors in possession of more than US$ 1000 or equivalent thereof in shape of travelers cheque, bank notes, currency notes are required 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.
There are two channels for Customs clearance :Green ChannelFor passengers not having any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage.Red Channel For passengers having dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high value articles to be entered on Tourist Baggage Re-Export (TBRE) form.For more accurate & complete details contact your nearest Government of India Tourist office.