ruppees??

goagirlwannabee · Dec 7th, 2006, 23:19

can anyone tell me how much rupees can yoou bring into the country?
i have been told different things anything from 500INR to no limit.

i have tried to google it too but no luck

can anyone give me a defo answer?

Merchant · Dec 7th, 2006, 23:27

Officially, you are not allowed to bring rupees into the country because you are not supposed to be able to get them outside India. In practice, though, this doesn't matter so much. As long as you don't have a suitcase full of money (if you did, you wouldn't be asking this question on IndiaMike), you really don't have to worry. The customs agents are not going to search your wallet.

SteamBuff · Dec 7th, 2006, 23:47

The Rupee is now a freely convertable currency, so should be available world wide.

In the UK you can buy Rupee's but HSBC warn you that the limit is 5000, but it appears that they will sell you more.

Dave

Nick-H · Dec 7th, 2006, 23:57

First I've heard of it --- please provide a reference, preferably to a Reserve Bank of India circulation or publication?

SANJAY_DEL · Dec 8th, 2006, 00:11

The rupee is not freely convertible as yet.

Nick-H · Dec 8th, 2006, 00:38

That is what I thought. It is convertible in that assets can be sold here and converted into foreign currency which can be taken out of the country.

However, as I understand it, there is still a strict ban (with a small concession for Indian residents) on the import or export of Indian currency.

Nick-H · Dec 8th, 2006, 00:43

goagirlwannabee, the definative answer is here and is (apart from returning residents) .... NIL

However, I'd take Merchant's view. I don't see customs guys here asking tourists to turn out their wallets! OTOH I do see occasional news articles about currency smugglers being caught.

Merchant · Dec 8th, 2006, 00:44

Technically speaking, convertibility refers to international banks' being able to trade the currency, to each other, to currency speculators, etc. Thus, at the moment, banks abroad are not supposed to have rupees in the vaults to sell to travelers, but these restrictions are easing, and there are Indian banks in foreign countries now. The Bank of Baroda, for example, is all over the Middle East to cater to ex-pat workers. So you can get rupees in small quantities from some banks abroad, including HSBC--but it doesn't make sense to do so, since you will pay a premium for them. Getting rupees at the airport exchange counter or from an ATM in India are the best, and cheapest, ways to get rupees.

Casey · Dec 8th, 2006, 07:03

There is a money changer here in Ottawa that lists the Indian rupee as one of the currencies they have for sale.

Nick-H · Dec 8th, 2006, 10:01

Yep... Somewhere in London, a few years back, told my ExGF that they didn't have any Rupees that day, but regularly did.

Doesn't make it legal! Don't suppose they'd be breaking any law in their own country.

There is still an Indian Customs limit of NIL for travellers and 5,000 for returning residents. Whilst there is no limit on foreign currency, one is required to declare any currency over $10,000

goagirlwannabee · Dec 8th, 2006, 15:44

see how confusing this is!!!

so i think its best for me not to bring in too much just to be on the safe side - it would just be my luck that something would happen to me

machadinha · Dec 8th, 2006, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by goagirlwannabee

see how confusing this is!!!

so i think its best for me not to bring in too much just to be on the safe side - it would just be my luck that something would happen to me

That's pretty much the way to go about it yes. Don't worry about it too much, then again don't keep it in your wallet with the rest of your cash (but don't get all paranoid about it either).

Have fun. You'll find all the rupees you need as soon as you're in so no problem really.

(On closer reading now, I think you may feel you need to have some rupees on you. Why would you? There are ATM's there, exchange offices, yadida. And besides it's illegal anyway as noted. But it's really unnecessary in any case, don't worry about it. People will be happy to take your pounds if worse comes to worse

, keep an eye on the going exchange rate.)

dreamer · Dec 8th, 2006, 16:37

Hi there

I have always brought some money in with me from past trips, not large amounts, just to have smaller notes to tip people with.
I have tried to change money at Heathrow before and they told me you were only allowed to take £100 equivalent in. I have also been told you are not allowed to take any money in or out

but no-one has ever asked or stopped me on th 6 trips I have done..Unless your case is bursting at the seams with curency I doubt anyone will notice

I have used my Nationwide atm card ( a good bank because they dont charge any commission) all over India with no problem so I find it easiest just to draw rupees out there. Also I found I was getting 4 or 5 rupees more to the £ on the exchange rate my bank gave me than if I tried to change £.

My advice would be to change a bit in UK if that makes you feel more comfortable, though it is very easy to do at the airports when you arrive. Then use your atm card to draw out cash as you need it.

Hope this helps a bit

Sarah

machadinha · Dec 8th, 2006, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamer

I have also been told you are not allowed to take any money in or out

As noted above, this is technically correct, unless it's very recently changed. As far as Rupees go that is. You're not welcomed there with no money on you any more than you would be anywhere else.

sbhikes · Dec 8th, 2006, 19:52

We bought some rupees in Frankfurt so that we'd have a little money in case we needed it for a cab or a coffee or whatever. Especially good idea since we arrived at 4AM or so. They scan your luggage when you arrive, but don't check your wallet. They also have you declare a bunch of stuff in customs, none of which was applicable to the $100 in rupees we had.

Dec 7th, 2006, 23:19	#1
goagirlwannabee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: uk Posts: 124	ruppees?? can anyone tell me how much rupees can yoou bring into the country? i have been told different things anything from 500INR to no limit. i have tried to google it too but no luck can anyone give me a defo answer? Last edited by machadinha : Dec 8th, 2006 at 15:58. Reason: moved to packing tips

Dec 7th, 2006, 23:57	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	First I've heard of it --- please provide a reference, preferably to a Reserve Bank of India circulation or publication? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 8th, 2006, 16:37	#13
dreamer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southampton, U.K. Posts: 188	Hi there I have always brought some money in with me from past trips, not large amounts, just to have smaller notes to tip people with. I have tried to change money at Heathrow before and they told me you were only allowed to take £100 equivalent in. I have also been told you are not allowed to take any money in or out but no-one has ever asked or stopped me on th 6 trips I have done..Unless your case is bursting at the seams with curency I doubt anyone will notice I have used my Nationwide atm card ( a good bank because they dont charge any commission) all over India with no problem so I find it easiest just to draw rupees out there. Also I found I was getting 4 or 5 rupees more to the £ on the exchange rate my bank gave me than if I tried to change £. My advice would be to change a bit in UK if that makes you feel more comfortable, though it is very easy to do at the airports when you arrive. Then use your atm card to draw out cash as you need it. Hope this helps a bit Sarah __________________ Life is not about the moments that we take breath, rather the moments that take our breath away.

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Dec 7th, 2006, 23:27	#2
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,101	Officially, you are not allowed to bring rupees into the country because you are not supposed to be able to get them outside India. In practice, though, this doesn't matter so much. As long as you don't have a suitcase full of money (if you did, you wouldn't be asking this question on IndiaMike), you really don't have to worry. The customs agents are not going to search your wallet.

Dec 7th, 2006, 23:47	#3
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	The Rupee is now a freely convertable currency, so should be available world wide. In the UK you can buy Rupee's but HSBC warn you that the limit is 5000, but it appears that they will sell you more. Dave

Dec 8th, 2006, 00:11	#5
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	The rupee is not freely convertible as yet.

Dec 8th, 2006, 00:38	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	That is what I thought. It is convertible in that assets can be sold here and converted into foreign currency which can be taken out of the country. However, as I understand it, there is still a strict ban (with a small concession for Indian residents) on the import or export of Indian currency.

Dec 8th, 2006, 00:43	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	goagirlwannabee, the definative answer is here and is (apart from returning residents) .... NIL However, I'd take Merchant's view. I don't see customs guys here asking tourists to turn out their wallets! OTOH I do see occasional news articles about currency smugglers being caught.

Dec 8th, 2006, 00:44	#8
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,101	Technically speaking, convertibility refers to international banks' being able to trade the currency, to each other, to currency speculators, etc. Thus, at the moment, banks abroad are not supposed to have rupees in the vaults to sell to travelers, but these restrictions are easing, and there are Indian banks in foreign countries now. The Bank of Baroda, for example, is all over the Middle East to cater to ex-pat workers. So you can get rupees in small quantities from some banks abroad, including HSBC--but it doesn't make sense to do so, since you will pay a premium for them. Getting rupees at the airport exchange counter or from an ATM in India are the best, and cheapest, ways to get rupees.

Dec 8th, 2006, 07:03	#9
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 637	There is a money changer here in Ottawa that lists the Indian rupee as one of the currencies they have for sale.

Dec 8th, 2006, 10:01	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Yep... Somewhere in London, a few years back, told my ExGF that they didn't have any Rupees that day, but regularly did. Doesn't make it legal! Don't suppose they'd be breaking any law in their own country. There is still an Indian Customs limit of NIL for travellers and 5,000 for returning residents. Whilst there is no limit on foreign currency, one is required to declare any currency over $10,000

Dec 8th, 2006, 15:44	#11
goagirlwannabee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: uk Posts: 124	see how confusing this is!!! so i think its best for me not to bring in too much just to be on the safe side - it would just be my luck that something would happen to me

Dec 8th, 2006, 19:52	#15
sbhikes Diane Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 60	We bought some rupees in Frankfurt so that we'd have a little money in case we needed it for a cab or a coffee or whatever. Especially good idea since we arrived at 4AM or so. They scan your luggage when you arrive, but don't check your wallet. They also have you declare a bunch of stuff in customs, none of which was applicable to the $100 in rupees we had.

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