Purchase limit on goods at duty free shops at airports hiked to Rs 25,000

New Delhi: A new excise and customs board order increased the purchase limit on goods from duty free shops at international airports from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000.

The order come after travellers complained that the Rs 5,000 limit was too less and needed to be revised. They cited last year’s instruction of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that permitted export from and import into the country of Indian currency up to Rs 25,000.

“Passengers can now purchase goods at duty free shops in Indian rupees up to Rs 25,000 as against the earlier ceiling of Rs 5,000,” a senior customs official said of Central Board of Excise and Customs order.

He said the duty free shops operators have also been suggested to display the rate of exchange published by the commercial banks for conversion of foreign currency or the rate of exchange notified by the CBEC on a fortnightly basis for import and export of goods.

The senior customs officials in-charge of the airports have also been asked to ensure that information on the use of Indian currency should be displayed at all the duty free shops.

Similarly, the websites of duty free shops or the airports must be kept accurately updated with regards to the facility and limit in use of Indian currency for making purchases, as per the CBEC’s order.