INDIA. The government has increased the inbound duty free allowance from IR25,000 (US$500) to IR35,000 (US$700). Children can carry goods worth IR15,000 (US$300) instead of the former IR12,000 (US$240).
Deepak Talwar, Chairman of leading Indian travel retailer IDFS, told The Moodie Report: “Indeed it is good news and positive for the business though the government could have done more as the allowance had not been revised for many years. We hope this trend will continue in the years to come.”
The move was also welcomed by Airports Authority of India Chairman VP Agrawal who told The Economic Times: “Our airports are matching global standards in terms of duty free shops and this is an important revenue stream for us.
“As prices at Indian duty free shops are competitive, in fact lower than those at European airports, the enhanced allowance will encourage people to buy more here.”
The newspaper noted that the increased allowance comes at a time when the Indian Rupee has been sliding against the US Dollar so the value of goods purchased by travellers in foreign currencies is increasing in Rupee terms.
