Bringing stuff into India- what's allowed?

karuna

OK, world's stupidest India tourism question entry #3454:

Lord knows how I'd do it- cheese. Can I bring cheese into India? Safe, non-mouldy, pre-packaged supermarket cheese. I was sort of thinking of taking a cool bag with a frozen block thing, or something. I've no idea if this is remotely allowable or feasible. It's quite an amusing thought having my baggage searched though. "I er....just really like cheese...." They'd probably slice it all up thinking it was hollowed out to stash naughty things.

DVDs, as gifts? Probably my own, so secondhand, not new. Is it a case of "not too many"?

PLEASE don't tell me to read the customs rules, my brain is made of swiss-cheese (is that allowed? They'll find nothing if they search in there, too) and stupidity. You can link to 'em, sure, but I really need a reply in simple language. "Cheese? What in hell are you thinking of, woman?", for example.


Thanks.

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Mosquitos suck.

Nick-H

One kind fellow IMer brought me a great slab of frozen bacon rashers two or three years back

Plants... plants are not allowed.

Hal

Cheese freezes pretty well, and it can also last quite a while at room temperature. So you could freeze it before you packed it and wrap it in styrofoam.
I'd put it in the checked baggage. Cold packs in your carry-on would probably be refused due to the volume of liquid.

karuna

Round India With A Block of Frozen Cheese

Bestseller, guaranteed!

I shall give it a go- unless someone tells me it's illegal and punishable by forced labour in a firm where Sundays are counted as leave days.

Luci

Are painkillers such as Ibuprofen okay to bring in? I am guessing Codeine is a big no no.

Haylo

Basically, anything used that you are likely to be taking to India for your own use is fine, if it is for your own use and if you're going to re-export it.

You know that there's zero chance of them counting your DVDs on arrival, so feel free to leave as many as you like behind in India!

As for cheese, I'm personally a self confessed international Stilton smuggler and proud of it, but taking cheese into India is illegal. The tear off section of the arrival card that you sign says:

No idea about codeine, because you can buy low dosages from pharmacies in the UK, but even at those low dosages I suspect that it's not a great idea without a copy of a prescription. Ibuprofen is definitely okay, in fact it is freely available in pharmacies in India, as are many drugs that are prescription only in the UK.

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karuna

Dammit. I'm not into smuggling illicit cheese. I'm the kind of person who would visibly shake whilst going through customs if I knew I had something I shouldn't have. I've happily breezed through completely unaware I was breaking the rule about camera films before. I once left a shop (in the UK) with a book tucked under my arm that I honestly had forgotten I had. I even went up to the counter and paid for other things with the book under my arm. Neither the cashier or I noticed the one remaining item, unpaid for, sticking out of my armpit as I sauntered nonchalantly out.

Knowingly smuggling? You might as well affix a flashing neon sign to my head reading CRIMINAL. No way. Oh well. No cheese for mees.

Haylo

I'm sorry...

Tell you what, I'll make a few phone calls and arrange to have a pound or two of Vintage Cheddar slipped into your bag at the last minute. You won't know a thing about it!

There's a rule about camera films?

Nick-H

You're not bringing the cheese after all?

Toblerone, then?

The fridge is looking a little bare...








.

Haylo

That's hilarious, you really DO have that many!

I see you're keeping your other British requisites cool too... Don't blame you; worth its weight in gold, that stuff!

capt_mahajan

Nick's Toblerone comments always remind me of when the kids were small.

Hey. I hope he isn't advertising on the site

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Outside the machine

Nick-H

22 500g bars is not many! I'm trying to only eat one a month. Make that 21: I have to open the next one right now .


And the Anthisan, yes... one gets through that (says he killing a mossie) too, although I am moving to Indian Caladryl instead.

Chocolate supplies is the specific purpose of that fridge. There's plenty of room!

Not for sale. Not at any price!

Hmmm... would swap for BA return Chennai/Heathrow, I suppose!

Mike Cork

HAYLO

"As for cheese, I'm personally a self confessed international Stilton smuggler and proud of it, but taking cheese into India is illegal. The tear off section of the arrival card that you sign says:"



There are several items including cheese as Haylo has mentioned

Here are copies of arrival cards. Hope these are of help.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/attac...2_page_1.j pg

http://www.indiamike.com/india/attac...2_page_2.j pg

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abracax

It's not illegal to take cheese into India, it's just illegal to not be stupid enough to tell them you're bringing in cheese.

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chAos

Just because it's on the arrival card doesn't mean it's illegal.

From what I gather on the India Customs website, you can bring what you like for your own consumption as long as it's not plants, wild animals, weapons, drugs and money. There was something about dairy products levying a 30% duty but my guess is that's probably for wholesellers, not tourists. Maybe you do have to claim the cheese on the form, and maybe someone might charge you for it, but I doubt it.

I've heard a few regular visitors who bring their luggage full of cheese and meat. Don't know if they claim it, but they've apparently not had any trouble.