Indian expats flying home from UAE can finally breathe easier. A new Delhi High Court ruling offers much-needed relief at airports.
The court declared that personal or inherited jewellery cannot be seized or questioned without valid reason by customs officials. This change comes after more than 30 petitions exposed repeated harassment faced by travellers, especially Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Many were questioned about gold ornaments they had owned for years — including family heirlooms passed down through generations.
Justices Prathiba M Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta issued the ruling after reviewing numerous complaints by Indian citizens abroad. They made it clear: travellers carrying jewellery for personal use must not be stopped or detained without strong justification. Furthermore, authorities were asked to conduct sensitivity training for customs staff to prevent mistreatment at airports.
This update brings a sense of relief for many Indian expats in the UAE planning to return home soon. Weddings, festivals, and family events often involve gold jewellery — some inherited, some gifted, and all deeply personal.
However, many expats reported delays and humiliation when stopped by customs for wearing long-owned ornaments.
Baggage Rules and the Legal Gap
Current baggage rules — last revised in 2016 — allow gold within certain limits after one year abroad. Women can carry up to 40 grams, and men up to 20 grams, without paying duty, if within value limits.
However, these rules fail to address worn or inherited jewellery. This gap has led to confusion and inconsistent enforcement. The court acknowledged this issue and urged the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to take action. CBIC must update the rules or issue a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) by May 19, the court ruled.
The SOP should clarify how old or worn jewellery is treated and simplify the customs clearance process for passengers. Additionally, it must protect travellers from unjustified seizures and harassment at entry points across India.
For now, the court has directed that used jewellery should not be routinely detained at airports. The ruling encourages customs officers to act with empathy and avoid causing unnecessary distress. With thousands of UAE-based Indian expats travelling home during peak seasons, the decision brings significant comfort.
