Moving to India
21
April 2010- Relocation to India is growing. The growing economy and
India's global standing has made it one of the major relocation destinations
of the world. People moving to India have many reasons such as their
companies moving to India, NRI moving to India with business interests or
due to job relocation, foreign national moving to India for employment, or
an Indian moving back to India just to be at home. However, there are
certain rules and regulations for moving to India that have to be followed
by everyone- Indian citizens or foreign nationals. Here we provide the basic
guidelines for moving to India.
Rules for Duty Payment when Moving to India
People relocating to
India are entitled to move their belongings free of any duty payment subject
to the following specifications:
- Foreign nationals moving to India must have a proper visa to India
that can be any from among resident visa, business visa, work visa, or
entry visa.
- Such people who want to move to India with their household goods must
have lived abroad for at least two years and must also shift their
residence to India. If the moving person is an Indian national moving
back to India, s/he should not have visited India for more than 180 days
in the preceding 2 years time.
- The person moving to India must be present during customs clearance.
This means s/he has to reach India before her/his shipment arrives. In
the event of failure to remain present during customs clearance, s/he
might have to pay heavy demurrage/container detention charges.
For knowing rules for moving household goods to
India, read
Rules For Moving to
India
Rules for Bringing Vehicle when Moving to India
Indian nationals
moving to India on transfer of residence can bring one vehicle with them - a
motor car or in lieu of a car, a motor cycle. Autos more than 1600cc must
have been owned and used by the shipper moving to India for at least one
year. New or second hand cars less than 1600cc can be bought prior to
arrival. Foreign nationals moving to India for employment reasons can bring
one car regardless of its cc capacity.
To know all the details about importing cars without
license, customs valuations of used cars and other rules for importing
second hand cars to India, read
Import
of Used Cars in India.
Rules for Bringing Pets when Moving to India
Anyone moving to
India can bring one animal that can be a cat, dog or a parrot. However,
moving pets to India is subject to the production of veterinary certificates
and other health documents. The animal quarantine station in India should
issue a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) for the pets entering India. All
pets moving to India must be vaccinated against Rabies.
For detailed knowledge about pet moving to India,
read
Rules for Moving Pets to
India
Rules for Bringing Foodstuff when Moving to India
A foreign
national moving to India can bring foodstuff with his/her housing shipment
duty free up to a limit of Rs. 50,000 (about USD1100). Foreign nationals
residing in India can import foodstuff worth Rs.100,000 pa (about USD2220).
However, wines, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages are not included in
this definition of duty free import of foodstuff.
What cannot be Brought while Moving to India?
Apart from rules for
bringing household goods, vehicles, pets and foodstuff, there are rules for
not bringing certain things while moving to India. These include
pornographic material, obscene literature, narcotics, firearms, ammunition
and other weapons that can not move to India.
Find local moving companies for assistance in the
Indian city where you plan to move. Browse the directory listing of
Packing
& Moving Companies in India by Cities
