Restrictions On Export
Restrictions On Export of Articles

The Government of India is concerned about the conservation of its endangered and rare fauna. Keeping this in mind, export of all wild animals indigenous to the country and articles made from such listed animals like skins, pelts, furs, ivory, rhino horns, trophies, etc. have been totally banned. These include all forms of wild animals including their parts and products, except peacock feathers and handicrafts made from them and those made from articles and shavings of Antler, Cheetals and Sambars which are subject to conditions specified. Export of exotic birds is also not allowed.

This ban also includes wood sand wood products including logs, timber, stumps, roots bark, chip, powder, flakes dust, pulp and charcoal. However, sawn timber made exclusively out of imported logs teak/ timber are exempted subject to conditions. Also, export of sandalwood in any form, excluding finished handicrafts and machine-finished products is prohibited. Export of furs of domestic animals, excluding lamb fur, hides and skins is prohibited.

Tourists are also advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade of endangered species of wild fauna or flora. All the member countries of the Convention allow the import of articles covered by the convention on the strength of a certificate of export from the country of origin.

Export of Antiques
Antiquities which include sculpture, painting or other works of arts or crafts, illustrative of science, art, craft, religion of bygone ages and of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years may not be exported from India. Manuscripts or other documents of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy five years; art treasures not necessarily antiquities but of artistic or aesthetic value, also can not be exported out of India.

Articles allowed free of DUTY
All personal effects like clothing and other articles, which you reasonably require. These include: Personal jewelry; one camera with twelve plates or 5 rolls of film; one pair of binoculars; one portable musical instrument; one radio; one camcor or cinematograph camera with 2 reels of film; one portable CD player or phonograph with 10 CDs or records; one portable sound recording apparatus; one portable typewriter; one perambulator; one tent and other camping equipment and sports equipment such as one fishing outfit, one non-powered bicycle, one canoe or kayak less than 5.5 meters long, one pair of skis, two tennis rackets.

Articles not allowed free of DUTY
Motorcycle, scooter or moped
Firearms
Cigarettes exceeding 20 packs, or cigars exceeding 50, or tobacco exceeding 250 grams.
Alcoholic beverages exceeding 1 liter

Gifts
If you are a foreign tourist visiting India for a stay of more than 24 hours, you can import articles up to a value of Rs.750 for your use or for presentation as gifts. If you are a tourist of Indian origin, you will be allowed to import articles for Rs.12000 free of duty for giving away as gifts.

Restricted & Protected Areas

Certain parts of the country need special permits before they can be visited.

Foreign Tourists can visit Nagaland
In order to promote tourism in the North-east region, the Government of India has decided to allow foreign tourists to visit Nagaland. Until recently the entire state of Nagaland was a restricted area. However the Government of India has decided to allow foreign tourists to visit the destricts of Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchong and Wokha for a maximum period of 10 days and in a group of 4 or more. this restriction of group is not valid for married couples.

These permits are issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003 Directorate of Tourism, Nagaland, Kohima Phone- +91 (370) 21607/ 22214/ 21945 Secretary, Tourism, Nagaland, Kohima Tele-Fax- +91 (370) 33067

Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
These States/Union Territories have been designated as protected areas and foreigners cannot enter these areas without special permits. These permits are issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003 at least 4 weeks before the date of the expected visit.

Certain areas of Sikkim like Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodang and Zongri in West Sikkim and Pamayangtse have been excluded form the inner line and declared as restricted areas. Individual tourists are permitted to visit Gangtok, Rumtek and Phodang. Tourists are permitted to visit Zongri and Pamayangtse. The duration of stay has been raised from 7 to 15 days. Permits can be issued by all Indian Missions abroad, all FRROs, Immigration Officers at Airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and New Delhi. Manipur. Manipur has also been opened to foreign tourists; permits can be issued by all Missions abroad, all FRROs, Home Commissioner, Manipur, Imphal. The duration of stay has been raised from 3 to 5 days.

Permits are no longer required for Darjeeling, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Individual foreign tourists can visit Port Blair Municipal Area, Havelock Island, Long Island, Neil Island, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Rangat, where a night halt is allowed and Jolly Buoy, South Cinque, Red Skin, Mount Harriet, Madhuban where only day visits are allowed. Prior permit is necessary.

Lakshadweep Islands. Only Bangaram and Subeli Islands are open to foreign tourists. Permits are required, obtainable from the Lakshadweep Administration, Wellington Island, Harbour Road, Kochi -3.

Manipur Loktak Lake, Imphal, Moirang, Keibul Deer Sanctuary and Waithe Lake.