How much jewellery, gold can I take with me from India to the UK?

Name withheld on request

Under Indian laws, i.e. Goods Import Export Rules of Ministry of External Affairs, there is no value limit on export of gold jewelery by a passenger through baggage, as long as it is the actual baggage of the passenger.

Travelers can request Customs for issue of export certificate at the time of their departure from India, in respect of jewelery carried by them to facilitate its re-import later. If a person does not want to bring back the jewelry within three years, an export certificate may not be required. Therefore, bonafide gold in any quantity can be carried from India to the UK as personal baggage.

However, as per UK laws, certain customs/import duties or taxes may apply on such goods. Travelers must declare the jewelry they intend to bring into the UK to customs officers.

The personal allowance rules apply to any goods you buy overseas and bring into the UK. Goods (for your own use or given as gifts) commonly known as ‘personal allowances’ are not subject to taxes and duties. You can bring such goods up to £390. Also, you will have to pay taxes and duties on the total value of the goods and not just on the value above the allowance. Hence, it is advised to declare the same on UK Government websites, which also help in ascertaining the amount of tax (if any) to be paid.

You need to declare each item that you take there and this can be done up to five days before you arrive in the UK. Note that rough diamonds are prohibited goods.

Sameer Malik, Partner and Maheep Singh, Principal Associate, DSK Legal