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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