The Delhi High Court has ruled that travellers, including NRIs, should not be harassed or stopped by customs officials for wearing personal or inherited jewellery. This decision comes as a major relief, especially for Indian expats returning home for weddings and festivals.
Court Responds to Multiple Complaints
The verdict follows over 30 petitions from passengers who faced questioning at Indian airports. Many reported being stopped for wearing family heirlooms, such as gold bangles or necklaces, and were asked to produce receipts for jewellery passed down through generations.
No Routine Detention of Jewellery
A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta stated that unless there’s a clear reason, customs officials should not detain passengers carrying jewellery for personal use. They also directed that sensitivity training be held for airport staff to prevent further harassment.
Baggage Rules and Outdated Limits
Under the current rules, updated in 2016, returning Indians are allowed to bring limited amounts of gold duty-free — 40 grams for women and 20 grams for men — if the value remains within a set cap. However, these rules don’t specifically mention used or inherited jewellery, leading to confusion and inconsistent application.
Court Orders Clarification
The court noted that rising gold prices have made these outdated rules problematic. It instructed the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to revise the rules or issue a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) by May 19 to address how worn and old jewellery should be treated at airports.
Widespread Impact on Travellers
Many Indian expats, particularly from the UAE, welcomed the ruling. Travellers have frequently reported feeling humiliated or treated like smugglers for wearing their own wedding jewellery or ancestral ornaments.
Call for Sensitivity and Fairness
The High Court emphasized that personal jewellery should not be routinely seized and urged customs staff to act with fairness. The move is expected to ease concerns among thousands of expats who travel home each year, especially during peak festive seasons.
