Indian Association of Sharjah Asks Govt to Scrap Gold Limit for NRIs

The Indian Association of Sharjah (IAS) has formally requested India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to remove the maximum value limit on duty free gold imports for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

In a memorandum, the IAS highlighted that the current rules create confusion and unnecessary hardships for Indian travellers bringing gold into the country.

NRIs Face Gold Restrictions During Customs Security Checks

Women passengers are allowed to bring up to 40 grams of gold ornaments with a value cap of ₹1 lakh, while men may carry up to 20 grams with a value cap of ₹50,000 without paying duties. These limits were set in 2016 when gold prices were approximately ₹2,500 per gram (22 kt).

However, with the current gold price around ₹10,041 per gram, the duty-free value of 40 grams and 20 grams far exceeds the limits, effectively restricting women to only 10 grams and men to 5 grams of gold without paying customs duties.

Read More: How Much Gold Can We Legally Get From Dubai?

Challenges Faced by NRIs

The IAS notes that this discrepancy creates several problems for NRIs:

• Travellers face disputes at customs due to the outdated value caps.
• Genuine passengers experience inconvenience and delays.
• Customs officials face additional workload and administrative challenges.
• The outdated cap may inadvertently encourage corrupt practices at checkpoints.

As per news reports, expatriate Indians face unnecessary hardship due to the mismatch between current gold prices and the existing duty free limits. Revising the value cap would simplify customs procedures and reduce disputes.

Request to Remove Gold Value Cap

The IAS has proposed deleting the value cap entirely while retaining the weight-based allowance, which would allow NRIs to carry the specified 20 grams for men and 40 grams for women, irrespective of the market price of gold.

This change would align regulations with reality and ensure duty-free benefits serve their intended purpose.

Read More: How to Get VAT Refund When Buying Gold From Dubai Gold Souk?

Gold Hits Record High

Gold prices in India hit a record high on September 9, 2025, surpassing ₹1.10 lakh per 10 grams amid global cues of US interest rate cuts and a weaker dollar. Gold prices in India reached an all time high on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, mirroring the upward trend in international markets.

Conclusion

The request by the Indian Association of Sharjah highlights the challenges NRIs face under the current duty free gold regulations. Removing or revising the value cap while maintaining the weight based allowance could simplify customs procedures, reduce disputes, and make the rules more aligned with current gold prices.

NRIs are advised to stay informed about regulations and follow the prescribed limits when bringing gold into India.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.