I need to travel from Delhi to Chennai for a wedding and I’ll be carrying my family’s gold jewellery. Is there a limit on the value or weight of gold I can carry on a domestic flight?
There is no official government-imposed limit on the amount of gold you can carry on a domestic flight within India. Customs duty does not apply to internal travel. However, if you are carrying a substantial quantity, you must be prepared to show valid proof of ownership during airport security checks.
The No Limit Rule for Domestic Flights
My friend was traveling with his family’s wedding jewellery from Mumbai to Bangalore and was worried about being stopped for carrying too much. I explained to him that since his travel was entirely within India, there are no customs duties and therefore no “allowance” or “limit” in the way one thinks about international travel.
The Importance of Carrying Proof of Ownership for Your Gold
I gave my friend one crucial piece of advice. While there is no legal limit, the airport security officials (CISF) have the right to question passengers carrying an unusually large quantity of gold to ensure it is not stolen or related to illegal activities. To have a smooth experience, he needed to carry all the original purchase invoices for the jewellery, which proved it was legally owned by his family.
Why You Should Always Carry Gold in Your Hand Luggage
My aunt was once traveling for a wedding and was thinking of putting her jewellery box in her checked-in suitcase to save space. I strongly advised her against this. For safety and security reasons, high-value items like gold should always be carried in your hand baggage. Airlines have very limited liability for valuables lost or stolen from checked luggage, so it is a significant risk.
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