Taking Foreign Exchange Out of India - an Ordeal

anar · Jul 11th, 2006, 02:36

this is what happened to my partner - stopped at the airport whilst leaving india to renew his visa abroad - part of a random search - his bag gone through - why was he carrying foreign money in excess of the amount allowed out of the country? he was questioned for the best part of the day - they were very civil, polite, no rough stuff. but a huge ordeal for someone with a nervous disposition. of course he missed his flight - no problem, they said, you can catch the same one the day after - this after ascertaining he had not been aware of the law and informing him he would be fined the next day by the commissioner, which he was - Rs25k! his foreign money which had been confiscated was returned to him, every last pound, euro and dollar - his visa extended to cover the extra couple of days it took to go through the process. he was told the laws have been relaxed - two years ago, he'd have been thrown in jail, no questions asked. has anyone here been through anything similar?? this was huge but it seems (if one is to believe the men in uniform) it could have been a lot worse. beggars belief!

shere · Jul 11th, 2006, 03:24

Was he carrying more than the equivalent of $5000 in cash and $5000 in travellers cheques etc ?

From Calcutta Customs web site :

(a) How much foreign currency may be taken out of India ?

Tourists from abroad, while leaving India are allowed to take with them foreign currency not exceeding an amount brought in by them at the time of their arrival in India. As no declaration is required to be made for bringing in foreign exchange / currency not exceeding equivalent of U.S. $ 10000 (see (b) below), generally tourists can take out of India with them at the time of their departure foreign exchange /currency not exceeding the above amount. The export of foreign currency by tourists is otherwise prohibited.

anar · Jul 11th, 2006, 03:33

he had been, hence all the hassles. hope to god he's learnt his lesson.

Shaktipalooza · Jul 11th, 2006, 03:58

so uh, why exactly in the age of bank machines with low transaction rates does anyone need to be carrying that much cash?

crvlvr · Jul 11th, 2006, 04:04

"part of a random search" -- never heard of bags being searched when leaving India. was it in his hand baggage?

Merchant · Jul 11th, 2006, 04:08

Was he heading to Sri Lanka, bring currency for the Tigers to buy guns?

anar · Jul 11th, 2006, 05:21

he's old-fashioned, no plastic, no banks! yes, hand luggage - apparently, since the high-profile drug busts involving the high and mighty in india, they are suspicious of anyone in and out of the country 'too often' (be warned, all ye frequent visitors to india without 'good reason'). yeah, sure, guns for tigers (purlease, merchant!!).

Penri · Jul 11th, 2006, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

"part of a random search" -- never heard of bags being searched when leaving India. was it in his hand baggage?

When leaving Chennai for London on a BA flight in March, I encountered the most stringent security checks I've ever seen. Spot checks on luggage, scan and manual checks on hand luggage and clothing/pockets!

They must have been looking for the pillowcases to go along with the bed sheet that customs stole off me

cdrake · Jul 11th, 2006, 12:30

nowadays, even the ILLICIT channels of talking foreign currency out of india have bcome so streamlined that I guess the indian customs presumes that anyone caught taking currency out is either a rank amateur or a terrorist.

anar · Jul 11th, 2006, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penri

They must have been looking for the pillowcases to go along with the bed sheet that customs stole off me

This is a terrible business, really shouldn't happen at the hands of 'law enforcers'! On a recent trip to Kashmir, the policeman at the Srinagar Airport went through my hand luggage and confiscated my cigarette lighter with great relish (fair enough, my mistake not to have tucked it into the checked luggage) but when he said, eyeing my carton of cigarettes, "too many cigarettes", I just gave him a withering look which was all that was needed - he let me proceed without further attempts at petty robbery.

crvlvr · Jul 12th, 2006, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penri

When leaving Chennai for London on a BA flight in March, I encountered the most stringent security checks I've ever seen. Spot checks on luggage, scan and manual checks on hand luggage and clothing/pockets!

I know they search hand luggage -- almost all airports do. Suitcases are X-rayed -- all airports do that too. Other than that, I have never experienced any more stringency in India.

anar · Jul 17th, 2006, 15:49

he got back a few days ago - and was given a regal welcome by the same customs/immigration officials! at least he's made some 'friends' out of his ordeal, hehe.

Penri · Jul 17th, 2006, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

I know they search hand luggage -- almost all airports do. Suitcases are X-rayed -- all airports do that too. Other than that, I have never experienced any more stringency in India.

Well - My hand luggage and pockets were thoroughly checked at security and at the boarding gate. That was a first for me.
Everyone got the same treatment. It was reassuring from a security point a view, but I'm a bit too cynical to believe that security is their only motivation.

Nick-H · Jul 17th, 2006, 16:09

Hand luggage, yes, but I've never had pockets checked!

Jul 11th, 2006, 02:36	#1
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 700	Taking Foreign Exchange Out of India - an Ordeal this is what happened to my partner - stopped at the airport whilst leaving india to renew his visa abroad - part of a random search - his bag gone through - why was he carrying foreign money in excess of the amount allowed out of the country? he was questioned for the best part of the day - they were very civil, polite, no rough stuff. but a huge ordeal for someone with a nervous disposition. of course he missed his flight - no problem, they said, you can catch the same one the day after - this after ascertaining he had not been aware of the law and informing him he would be fined the next day by the commissioner, which he was - Rs25k! his foreign money which had been confiscated was returned to him, every last pound, euro and dollar - his visa extended to cover the extra couple of days it took to go through the process. he was told the laws have been relaxed - two years ago, he'd have been thrown in jail, no questions asked. has anyone here been through anything similar?? this was huge but it seems (if one is to believe the men in uniform) it could have been a lot worse. beggars belief!

Jul 11th, 2006, 03:58	#4
Shaktipalooza Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 910	so uh, why exactly in the age of bank machines with low transaction rates does anyone need to be carrying that much cash? __________________ Pics from India 2006 Traditional Indian Dance

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Taking a dog to India?	timsha	Dogs, Cats, and Langurs	226	Oct 23rd, 2009 21:04
Taking a GPS to india	Eldaras	Electronics in India	16	Dec 3rd, 2007 22:50
Taking toddler to india	spar28	Packing Tips for India travel	13	Dec 3rd, 2005 22:56
foreign exchange	redleader	Chai and Chat	7	Oct 1st, 2005 04:15
Taking kids to India	mpr732	Health and Well Being in India	4	Nov 27th, 2004 13:46

Jul 11th, 2006, 03:24	#2
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,199	Was he carrying more than the equivalent of $5000 in cash and $5000 in travellers cheques etc ? From Calcutta Customs web site : (a) How much foreign currency may be taken out of India ? Tourists from abroad, while leaving India are allowed to take with them foreign currency not exceeding an amount brought in by them at the time of their arrival in India. As no declaration is required to be made for bringing in foreign exchange / currency not exceeding equivalent of U.S. $ 10000 (see (b) below), generally tourists can take out of India with them at the time of their departure foreign exchange /currency not exceeding the above amount. The export of foreign currency by tourists is otherwise prohibited.

Jul 11th, 2006, 03:33	#3
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 700	he had been, hence all the hassles. hope to god he's learnt his lesson.

Jul 11th, 2006, 04:04	#5
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,667	"part of a random search" -- never heard of bags being searched when leaving India. was it in his hand baggage?

Jul 11th, 2006, 04:08	#6
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,213	Was he heading to Sri Lanka, bring currency for the Tigers to buy guns?

Jul 11th, 2006, 05:21	#7
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 700	he's old-fashioned, no plastic, no banks! yes, hand luggage - apparently, since the high-profile drug busts involving the high and mighty in india, they are suspicious of anyone in and out of the country 'too often' (be warned, all ye frequent visitors to india without 'good reason'). yeah, sure, guns for tigers (purlease, merchant!!).

Jul 11th, 2006, 12:30	#9
cdrake I want my baby back babyback babyback babyback Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: United States of America Posts: 640	nowadays, even the ILLICIT channels of talking foreign currency out of india have bcome so streamlined that I guess the indian customs presumes that anyone caught taking currency out is either a rank amateur or a terrorist.

Jul 17th, 2006, 15:49	#12
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 700	he got back a few days ago - and was given a regal welcome by the same customs/immigration officials! at least he's made some 'friends' out of his ordeal, hehe.

Jul 17th, 2006, 16:09	#14
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,209	Hand luggage, yes, but I've never had pockets checked!