India - Customs

India Customs Rules for Yachts

Arriving by Yacht

When you have your Customs inspection on board, it is worth preparing as follows:

• Put all alcohol in a designated locker that can be sealed (Customs will want to do this until you depart). It can be sealed with your paper, your tape, and their stamp.
• Make sure any portable Satcom (Iridium Go) devices can be sealed in the same area. The use of portable Satcom equipment and drones is governed by strict regulations and is highly regulated. You will have to declare this when you make a pre-arrival notification - see Clearance for details. See Restrictions for more information.
• Certain firearms and weapons are prohibited, and those permitted require a Possession Licence. All arms and ammunition must be declared and will be sealed by Customs and treated as bonded goods onboard the vessel.
• The export of most wildlife species and products derived from wild flora and fauna, such as ivory, musk, reptile skins, furs, shahtoosh, and so on, is prohibited. There are also restrictions on the export of antiquities.

See the Customs Guide for Travelers at the official website of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

Length of Stay:

Yachts normally can remain in India six months. This can only be extended for good reason.

Bringing in Parts and Spares:

Spare parts may be air freighted from abroad without the recipient paying customs duty. Such items must arrive by air cargo and be cleared on a form called "Bill of Entry" at nil rate of duty bringing spares for a foreign vessel.

In addition, shipping items from the USA via UPS, DHL and FEDEX is quick but will incur shipping charges and again, sizeable duty and taxes (48%) due to it being air cargo.

Customs duty exemption is not available through air courier services. It is probably simpler to source what you need locally or bring in such parts as personal luggage. You are advised to bring a “marina letter” (prepared by the Marina Manager) so that Immigration clearly understands your situation.

Often the supplier will mark down the price so that Customs charges will be reduced or even zero.

India does not respect “Yacht in Transit” and probably never will.

Last updated:  February 2024