How much gold jewellery can NRIs and returning Indian residents carry from the UAE to India under the new 2026 rules?

India's Baggage Rules, 2026 have simplified the duty-free allowance for gold jewellery by removing the earlier value limits and introducing weight-based exemptions. Eligible NRIs, returning Indian residents who have lived abroad for more than one year, and tourists of Indian origin can now bring up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free for women and 20 grams for men. The exemption applies only to gold jewellery, not to gold bars, coins, biscuits or bullion, which remain subject to customs declaration and applicable duties. Jewellery exceeding the prescribed limit must be declared, with customs duty payable on the excess to avoid penalties or confiscation. The updated rules also include higher duty-free baggage allowances, simplified declarations, duty-free import of one laptop for eligible passengers, and easier transfer-of-residence benefits. If you're travelling from the UAE to India this summer, do you think the new weight-based gold allowance makes the rules clearer and more convenient?