Kochi airport iPhone customs row explained: Why was an NRI passenger asked to pay nearly ₹30,000?
An NRI passenger's refusal to pay nearly ₹30,000 in customs duty on a new iPhone brought from Dubai has triggered a police case and raised questions about India's baggage rules for personal electronic devices.
An NRI passenger from Kerala was detained at Kochi airport after refusing to pay customs duty on a new iPhone 18 Pro he had purchased in Dubai. The 30,000 rupee demand centered on whether the newly purchased phone qualified for duty-free exemption as personal belongings. Customs officials believed the phone was a commercial purchase, while the passenger argued it was for personal use.
The dispute highlighted ambiguities in India's Baggage Rules 2026, which allow personal effects like used items required for daily necessities to enter duty-free. However, the rules do not automatically exempt new purchases simply due to personal use. The incident has sparked debate among NRIs and frequent international travelers about the application of customs rules at airports.
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