Up to Rs 25k duty-free shopping for travellers to Hong Kong.

NEW DELHI: The government today said that persons returning from Hong Kong will be allowed to carry duty-free goods worth up to Rs 25,000 as against Rs 6,000 for China, as they are separate customs territories.

"The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is a separate customs territory from China. Therefore, they are not to be treated as one," the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said in a circular.

"An Indian resident or a foreigner residing in India of at least 10 years of age and returning after stay abroad of more than three days, returning from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, shall be allowed clearance free of duty up to Rs 25,000 on articles," the circular said.

According to baggage rules, passengers returning from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China are allowed to bring goods worth up to Rs 6,000 free of customs duty, while no import duty is imposed on goods worth up to Rs 25,000 from other countries.

However, divergent practices were being followed at different airports in India for allowing customs duty-free goods.

At some airports, passengers from Hong Kong are allowed to bring goods worth up to Rs 25,000 free of customs duty, while other airports restrict this facility to items valued up to Rs 6,000.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com