Cash / Currency 🇮🇳 India
Indian rupees limited; foreign currency over USD 5,000 must be declared
Can I bring Cash / Currency into India?
Indian rupees limited; foreign currency over USD 5,000 must be declared
INR 25,000 / USD 5,000 cash / USD 10,000 total
- Currency Declaration Form (CDF)
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Indian Reserve Bank rules permit residents to carry up to USD 10,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency) abroad without declaration; amounts above must be declared on the Currency Declaration Form (CDF) at Mumbai / Delhi / Bangalore / Chennai / Kolkata airports. INR carry by residents is capped at INR 25,000; non-residents may not export INR. Undeclared amounts are seized under the Foreign Exchange Management Act with penalty of 3× the seized value.
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
At the airport
- You may bring up to USD 5,000 in foreign currency (or USD 10,000 equivalent including traveller's cheques) without declaration. Amounts above this must be declared at CBIC customs using the Currency Declaration Form (CDF).
- Approach the designated currency declaration counter at BOM, DEL, or your port of entry. Complete the CDF and present it with your passport and the cash.
- Indian Rupees above INR 25,000 may not be imported. Any INR above this limit will be confiscated. Retain the stamped CDF for your return journey.
Leaving India with cash / currency
Under FEMA 1999 and RBI Master Circular on LRS (RBI/2023-24/10), Indian residents may remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for permitted transactions. On departure, INR cash is capped at INR 25,000. Foreign currency cash export is limited to USD 3,000 without Form A2 from authorised bank; up to USD 10,000 with Form A2. Amounts over USD 10,000 require RBI approval and Income Tax clearance (Form 15CA/CB). Penalties for undeclared export: FEMA civil penalty up to 3× the amount.
Values at or above this threshold must be declared (INR).
Always declare foreign currency above the threshold. Keep encashment certificates from authorized dealers.
INR 25,000 / USD 5,000 cash / USD 10,000 total
- Currency Declaration Form (CDF)
FEMA 1999, RBI Master Direction
This page covers destination customs rules in India. Whether you can carry cash / currency through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Cash / Currency rules in other countries
Cash / Currency
🇺🇸 United States
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
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🇩🇪 Germany
EU rule: declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.
Cash / Currency
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Must declare cash of AED 60,000 or more (approx. USD 16,300) on arrival.
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🇵🇭 Philippines
PHP 50,000 limit; foreign currency over USD 10,000 must be declared
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🇻🇳 Vietnam
VND 15 million limit; USD 5,000 foreign currency