What is the import duty on laptops valued under Rs 50,000 when travelling to India?

Laptops valued under Rs 50,000 are exempt from import duty.

How much import duty is charged on laptops priced between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 70,000?

Laptops in this price range are subject to a 10% import duty.

What are the total import charges for premium laptops over Rs 70,000?

Premium laptops over Rs 70,000 attract an 18% import duty plus 18% GST, totalling approximately 36%.

Are there any conditions under which you can avoid paying import duty on a laptop?

Yes, if the laptop is used or opened, has signs of wear, or you can provide an older invoice (3+ years), or repair documents.

Is there any import duty on electronic items purchased within India?

No, electronic items purchased within India are not subject to import duty, provided you can show proof of purchase.

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Laptop Customs Duties Rates for International Travellers

Alankar Mishra

Author

Updated: 16-04-2025 at 12:30 PM

India levies varying rates of import duty on laptops and other electronic items that travellers bring into the country. As an inbound passenger, being aware of these laptop customs rules can save you from unpleasant surprises at the airport.

Read below this article to learn about custom duties on laptops for international travellers.

What Is The Duty-Free Allowance For India?

The duty-free allowance means the limit within which people can bring foreign goods into the country without having to pay customs duty. It is based on the traveller and the type of items:

Indians can bring various items like clothes, toiletries, a laptop, a phone, etc. worth Rs. 50000.
Foreigners can bring items worth Rs. 15000.
In terms of jewellery, men can bring jewellery worth Rs. 50000 and women can bring jewellery worth Rs. 100000.
In terms of alcohol or tobacco, people can bring 2 litres of alcohol per person and 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 125 grams of other tobacco products.

Items One Can Bring To India

Indian citizens and foreign tourists can bring a range of items through importing such as:

Electronics like mobile phones, laptops, etc.
Clothing
Footwear
Toiletries
Jewellery
Alcohol

Custom Duty On Laptop For International Travellers

If you are carrying a laptop or any other new electronic item while travelling to India from abroad, you will likely need to pay customs duty on laptops in India if:

The item is still in unopened packaging.
The invoice or payment receipt is less than 3 years old.
There is no evidence of the item being purchased in India (such as an older invoice or warranty from an Indian retailer).

In essence, customs considers recently purchased unused or unopened overseas electronic goods as imports and slaps import tariffs.

Also read: Government’s Initiative To Protect And Regulate Data: What Is Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023?

What Are The Import Duty Rates On Laptops?

The exact rate of import duty on the laptop levied depends on the laptop’s pricing.

Price of Laptops	Import Duty
Laptops valued under Rs 50,000	Exempt
Laptops between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 70,000	10% duty
Premium laptops over Rs 70,000	18% + 18% GST

So if you buy an expensive business international laptop worth Rs 1,00,000 abroad and carry it new or unopened to India, you must pay around Rs 27,000 in total import duties.

To avoid any import taxes, your laptop must seem like a personal item you have used abroad for a while rather than an item purchased overseas recently.

Read more: Ayushman Card

When Is Your Laptop Exempt From Import Duty?

So if your laptop satisfies the criteria listed below, you can forgo paying custom duty on a laptop in India.

The international laptop is used or opened with signs of wear or tear.
Carrying an older invoice (3+ years) showing purchases outside India
The item carries repair or warranty documents from previous use abroad.

Maintaining relevant documentation, invoices, and repair bills can establish previous use, ownership, and buying from outside India.

This saves you from paying any applicable customs duties and provides you with a smooth and stress-free travel experience without being bothered by customs.

Also read: How To Report Cybercrime And Online Fraud In India?

Custom Duty Rates For Importing Electronics To India

Custom duty rates for importing electronics vary from one electronic item to another. However, the usual rates are:

Basic Customs Duty (BCD): Usually electronic items like mobile phones, laptops, etc. are charged around 10-20% while expensive electronic items are charged around 30%.
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS): A 10% charge is imposed to support social welfare schemes.
Additional charges: Extra charges like freight value and others can be charged on imported items.

What Is The Duty-Free Limit For Carrying Electronics To India?

People bringing electronics like mobile phones, laptops, cameras, etc. for their personal use can enjoy duty-free allowances. The duty-free limit if around Rs. 50000 for Indians and Rs. 15000 for foreigners.

The rate of duty varies if the electronics are being brought to India as gifts or are extremely luxurious.

Currency Limit For Indian Customs

At present, people can bring Rs. 25000 in Indian currency to the nation, and in terms of foreign currency, people can bring $ 5000 in cash and up to $ 10000 in cheques.

Impact Of Import Restrictions On India’s Laptop And Computer Market

Citing loss of trade or reduction in ease of doing business as negative impacts of import restrictions on India’s laptop and computer market, it has been decided that India will not implement import restrictions on laptops, tablets, personal computers (PCs), and other electronic items falling under the HSN 8741 category from November 1, 2023. The government plans on shifting its strategy towards import management.

The decision comes after the government held discussions with industry stakeholders and representatives of major foreign technology brands such as Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Asus, Lenovo, and HP.

Read more: eShram Card

Conclusion

In summary, keep your invoices ready and gadgets used or opened up to avoid paying laptop import tariffs when travelling to India from overseas. However, brand-new devices or sealed items without invoices can attract import duty between 10 and 27% of the device value based on laptop pricing.

To know more about such laws and information, stay connected to Jaagruk Bharat. You can also share your thoughts or ask questions with us by reaching our community page.

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HardikS

27 November 2024

Thanks for insightful read. I wanted to ask if I am bringing a laptop worth 65k to India then would I be paying the custom duty of 10% on the whole price(i.e.65k) or only on the delta(i.e 65-50= 15k) above 50k?

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