Five-Time Hike to Rs 25,000 For Flyers to Buy Duty Free Goods

New Delhi: There has been five-time jump to Rs 25,000 for flyers to buy goods from duty free shops at international airports across the country.

Earlier, they could buy goods worth Rs 5,000 only.

The move follows after travellers complained that the limit to purchase duty free goods was less and needed to be revised. They had cited instructions issued late last year by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that permitted export from and import into India of Indian currency up to an amount not exceeding Rs 25,000.

"Passengers can now purchase goods at duty free shops in Indian rupees up Rs 25,000 as against the earlier ceiling of Rs 5,000," a senior customs official said citing a recent order by Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in this regard.

He said that 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 been asked to ensure that information relating to 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 regard to the facility and limit in use of Indian currency for making purchases, as per the CBEC's order.

The duty free shops operators have been asked that they display the prices of goods in Indian Rupees at the earliest, it said.