Customs Procedure for Moving Household Goods in to India

The member must be physically in India before customs clearance can take place. Air shipments must be shipped within 15 days and surface shipments must be shipped within one month of member's arrival in India. 
All shipments are subject to customs examination and customs duties will be assessed, based on the Customs evaluation. 
In general terms under Transfer of Residence, a TV, VCR, washing machine, cooking range, dish washer, music system, personal computer, air conditioner, refrigerator, deep freezer, microwave oven, video camera, word processing machine and telex machine may be imported at a duty of 35% of assessed value providing : 
1. That the combined value of these items must not exceed Rs. 150,000 (Exchange rates is US$ 3,352.23). 
2. There must only be one of each such item in the shipment. 
Duplicate items or any sums in excess of Rs. 150,000 attract 61% duty. 
Other household goods, provided they have been in the member's possession and use for one year, will be allowed free entry. 

Documents Required
Foreign Nationals 
Business visas are valid for four months stay that can be extended for up to six months. Beyond that, requires a minimum one year work permit, and applicants should allow a minimum of three months for the process. A valid work permit is essential prior to the arrival of household goods. Foreign nationals must possess a visa valid for one year from date of last entry, to avail of duty concessions under transfer of residence. 
Indian Nationals 
Member should have resided out of India for a minimum period of two years preceding his transfer to India and intends to reside in India for a period of at least one year. Short visits to India in the preceding two years are promoted provided the total duration of stay in India does not exceed six months. 

Used Personal Effects
Member's Passport - member must be present in India at the time of customs clearance, List of articles with values and date of purchase, Customs Declaration Form signed by member and Original Ocean Bill of lading.

Vehicle/Car
Rules for Import of motor vehicles into India are very detailed, conditional & complicated. Please take our advice before planning any such shipment to India. However diplomatic motor vehicles are allowed to be imported free of duty if covered by a Duty Exemption certificate issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. 

Diplomatic Shipment
Duty free exemption certificate issued by Diplomatic Mission in India. 

Non Diplomatic Shipment
Original Bill of Lading, Packing List, Authority Letters/Power of Attorney, Baggage Declaration Form and Original Passport

Prohibited Items
We wish to inform you that as per the Indian Customs regulations, alcohol in access of one liter is regulated. Therefore, we recommend that alcohol less than one liter only should be loaded in the container or mentioned in the documents. . 
Please load all the electronic items i.e. T.V, Fridge, VCR, Vacuum Cleaner etc., in the front (opening side) of the container or lift van for easy customs clearance. Please also send us a list of the electronic items on a separate sheet.

The following new/old items are covered under Transfer of Residence rule and customs duty 15% of the value adjudicated is levied on them.

Trafficking in Narcotic drugs like Heroin, Chars (Hashish) and Cocaine or in Psychotropic substances is prohibited and is punishable with imprisonment.

Live Animals and Plants
Domestic pets like dogs, cats, birds etc. may be imported. Import of animals and birds is governed by strict health certificate regulations. Parrots require a special certificate. We would request you to take our advice before booking any pet to India; to know the current regulation for importing pets into India. However, a diplomat's personal pets may be cleared free of duty against a Duty Exemption certificate issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Import of plants is complicated so please take our advice before shipping such goods.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for general guidance and all moverworldwide.com users are allowed to reproduce this information. moverworldwide.com cannot however take responsibility for any errors, additions and omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such it is advisable to contact the nearest customs office or the moving company you select for your move to India for full and current information prior to importation/relocation.