whats allowed?

jolly_cow

I would appreciate if any one can tell me about
the following

a) I heard that max limit on goods/items
that one can personally take is $5000
in to India?

b) If you get into an argument, better have
the customs guy to enter into your passport
(at the danger of your passport being tampered)

c) are there any restrictions on electronic
items (laptop, dig cameras, phones?, again
within the limits)

If there are any threads on this topic, please
point me to them..

Thanks

barodian

a) Not sure about.

b) Don't quiet understand your question. Are you asking for in case, they want money for your electronic item or something?

If so, I would have the write that on my passport but don't let them take it away where you can't see it.

c) If you are taking it for personal use then there isn't any problem. But, if you are taking it for resell, then they will charge you tax. I had it happen in Mumbai that the custom agent wanted $100 for my laptop. I totally refused to pay him because it was for my personal use and I was going to take it back with me. He kept on hassling because at that time my passport was at the inquiry booth getting stamped for All India Liquor Permit. In Gujarat, you need the permit to get liquor from a hotel. Since, they only provide geniune liquor. Getting back, I did not pay him a penny. Most of the work in groups, including the cops.

Nick-H

There have been other threads, but we may as well just point you to the Indian Customs site Information for travellers. Please note carefuly that there different allowances for Indian residents, returning residents and visitors.

Somehow I don't think Scams and annoyances is the right place for this question! ALthough I guess that having to pay duty on stuff is annoying !

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jolly_cow

Thanks, but I found the website:

http://www.cbec.gov.in/travellers.htm

Looks like I should be in green channel (dreaming ). To be seen how they harrass
me!!

Since this crap (of sucking money from NRIs)
is rampant, I am planning to propose
a new concept:

www.fund_corruption_legally_in _india.co.in

Step1: All NRIs will register here and
pay $25 (US) to get a ticket per trip.

Step2: Take the printout along with passport
and the present at the airport.

Step3: The i(e)mmigration officials enter the
ticket number in their system and get verified

Step 4: Upon verification, they ( Govt mafia @ the airports) get paid to their bank accounts.
Whether this is taxable or not, its their preference

Yes, I know, they have a "regular" salary
from Indian Govt. But, this way, there is
no haggling. Even the porters can get paid
nicely :-))))

Mind you, if someone tampers the Govt issued
doc (passport etc.), it is a crime!!
And if officials at the airport do it,
they are criminals.

Boy, I am so bitter at this whole crap. every
time I learn new scams. Lets see!

Nick-H

If I recall correctly, "So Many" was actually One.

So I really wouldn't worry about it at all.

Mostly, If Indian customs or immigration people are going to screw around with anyone, it will be their own countrymen, who they will far more able to bully, and who will be far more likely to shrug and accept putting money into an official's hand as part of daily life.

But if you think that India is that corrupt, why are you bothering to come here?

(I'm not saying that it isn't, by the way... but it won't show to the visitor that much).

Merchant

DON'T UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO BRIBE AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER.

This is both unnecessary and foolish. No one is going to mess with your passport.

Nick-H

How about waiting until it happens to you?

Then you will have something to complain to us about.

Merchant

Just for perspective, India is one of the most corrupt countries on the planet. The government and all its services, public utilities, police, municipal matters, elections, etc., all suffer considerable burdens of graft, theft, and other malfeasance.

It is not, however, a country where visitors are shaken down, forced to pay bribes, or are extorted. Unless you are trying to get a land line phone or a gas connection in an apartment, you are unlikely to meet the outstretched palm of a government official.

As a visitor to India, you should assume that you won't ever have to pay a bribe and that if you are asked for one you should refuse.

crvlvr

jolly cow, I second and Merchant's comments and sincerly advice you to consider adopting a slightly more positive attitude, if you want enjoy your upcoming trip. Things in India are definetly not as bad as you are expecting.

edwardseco

NRIs catch a lot that is deflected by poltical sensitivities from foren visitors..

jolly_cow

Glad that I ticked off some pride (or ego)
here :-)

Well Airports are the gateways to rest of
the country (or the otherway to the rest of
the world).

When visitors come to your house, do you employ
corrupt folks at your front door to welcome
people? Its the same way. BTW, tampering govt issued docs is crime!


>Why I am bothering to come here?
Hey thats my choice! We can go on on a philosophical note on and on.
I will stop there

OK, my search on the web is over for info
on precautions/whats the latest on travel to India (until I am surprised practically at the
airport, which 'am sure :-)

So long

shashank.aggarwal

well, I have said it earlier and am saying it again..

India is a country has just started to come to terms with the world, just started to establish itself 'again'.

I agree with you that there are lot of drawbacks and corruption in the system, but as Indian I also know that a bit of persistence and agression works fine.

Now again, you have full right to come, visit and explore India, regardless of what you think about it..

I am sure that there is something good about this country, that is making you spend a good amount of your money and heading here despite all the negative aspects..rather than going to a more civilised places...

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