Moving to a new country is exciting, but it also requires a lot of preparation, paperwork, and planning! If you are relocating to India, read on for information and helpful tips on the required documents, regulations and restrictions for clearing customs at the border of your new home country!
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
When relocating to India, there are
essential documents to gain entry and establish residency. When you plan your international move, you should enlist customs brokering services from your international moving company to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork to clear customs and successfully enter the country.
When moving to India, you will need:
- Passport
- Visa (valid for one year)
- Transfer of Residence (provided by Destination Agent)
- Baggage Declaration Form (provided by Destination Agent)
- Client Declaration (provided by Destination Agent)
- Full descriptive inventory in English (completed by the packing agent, electronic items should be listed on a separate sheet)
- Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
- Power of Attorney (allowing Destination Agent to clear shipment)
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
If you are moving to India permanently, you may import both personal effects (clothing, jewelry, toiletries) and household effects (furniture, rugs, linens, bedding, dishes, other furnishings) free of duty and tax if:
- All goods were in your possession for at least six months
- You have lived overseas for at least two years and are transferring your residence to India
- You have not visited India for more than 180 days in the previous two years
- You are present in India when the shipment arrives (you are usually required to be present during the customs clearance process)
- Your goods are received within one month of arriving in India (automobiles can be shipped with six months of arrival, in case of delay goods will only be cleared with customs approval)
- Goods are cleared at first port of entry
PROHIBITED ITEMS
In India, the following articles are prohibited for importation under any circumstances:
- Firearms, weapons, and ammunition
- Narcotics and illegal drugs
- Pornographic or obscene material
- Beef and beef products
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Some articles are limited to certain quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in India. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Home theater systems, TVs, and DVD/DVR players (subject to 15 percent duty)
- Video cameras and accessories, sound recording equipment, video reproduction equipment, and film (subject to 15 percent duty)
- Fax machines, photocopiers, and word processors (subject to 15 percent duty)
- Dishwashers, air conditioners, washer/dryers, and microwaves (subject to 15 percent duty)
- If you have more than one of a certain appliance, any additional will be charged 35 percent duty
- Gold or silver (subject to 15 percent duty)
- New items and furniture (subject to 40 percent duty)
- Alcohol is dutiable (up 180 percent) and restricted to 2 liters
- Plants are highly restricted (require permission)
- Tobacco (restricted to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of loose tobacco)
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
If you are planning to ship your vehicle with you to India, you will need to hire international vehicle shippers with thorough knowledge of important overseas automobile shipping laws and customs regulations to safely transport your car for you.
If you are transferring your residence to India, you may import one vehicle (or motorcycle). Your car may be admitted into the country if:
- The car was in your ownership or possession for over a year
- Payment for the car was made prior to your arrival in India.
- Your car meets Euro III pollution norms and is right hand drive (with certificate form manufacturer)
- The car is shipped within six month of your arrival
- The vehicle is not older than three years from date of manufacture
- The vehicle has a speedometer indicating the speed in kilometers
- You secure a bank bond for import trade authorities, stating not to sell the car for a specified period of time
Vehicles are dutiable (new vehicles incur duty of about 114 percent on customs' assessed value and used vehicles incur duty of about 169 percent of the value assessed by customs)
You will need the following documents:
- Your passport (verifying two years residence abroad)
- Original manufacturing invoice of the vehicle (Not from a dealer or any other sources)
- Vehicle registration/title (for at least one year, in your name)
- Insurance policy
- BL must state make, model, year, VIN, engine and chassis numbers
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
Your pet is an important part of the family, so you want to ensure that he or she will clear customs for without trouble. To successfully cross Indian borders with your furry friend, the requirements are:
- Veterinary Health Certificate (from a veterinary officer at origin attesting your pet is free from Aujossky’s disease, Distemper, Rabies, Leishmaoiasis and Leptospirosis)
- Your pet's vaccination record from a licensed veterinarian
- An Import License [issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)]
- An Import Sanitary Permit (issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
- Pets are subject to a clearance of the Animals Quarantine and Certificate Service authorities in India
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moving is a tedious process, requiring knowledge, preparation, and the assistance of experienced, trustworthy international movers. Before choosing a company for hire, be sure to ask these important questions to ensure they are qualified for the job and well-versed in the customs process. Staying informed and always conducting a thorough background check on any potential overseas movers will prevent you from falling victim to a common moving mistake.
Need help finding reliable international moving companies in your area? Get started here at Movers.com by simply filling out our fast and easy free quote form to receive estimates from up to seven qualified movers in your area.
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