Bought a new iPhone abroad? Why Customs demanded duty at a Kerala airport
Dubai: Travellers bringing new mobile phones into India from abroad may face questions from Customs officials over whether the devices qualify as personal effects or are subject to customs duty. The issue came into focus after a man staged a sit-in protest at Nedumbassery airport in Kerala when Customs officials directed him to pay tax on a new iPhone 18 Pro he had brought from overseas,…
Dubai: A man faced backlash at Kerala's Nedumbassery airport after Customs officials demanded duty on a new iPhone 18 Pro he had purchased overseas. The situation stems from differing interpretations of India's duty-free allowances for travellers. Under the Baggage Rules 2026, Indian residents, tourists of Indian origin and certain foreign nationals can bring goods valued up to ₹75,000 duty-free.
The allowance for foreign tourists is ₹25,000. However, a new, unused phone may not automatically qualify for exemption, even if bought for personal use. Customs officials emphasized that exemptions apply to personally used phones that have been in service for a while. The incident underscores the need for Indian travellers to understand and verify how the rules apply to their specific situation when bringing new electronics from abroad.
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