Clearing customs can be a bit of a hassle, though it has improved vastly over
the the last decade. In general, avoid the touts who will offer to ease your
baggage through customs. There are various rules regarding duty-free
allowances — there are differing rules for Indian citizens, foreign "tourists",
citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan, non-citizens of Indian origin and
people moving to India.
Cast a quick glance at the website of the Central Board of Excise and
Customs for information about what you can bring in. If you are a foreign
tourist and you aren't Nepali, Bhutanese or Pakistani and you aren't entering
through Nepal, Bhutan or Pakistan, you are entitled to bring in your "used
personal effects and travel souvenirs" and Rs. 4,000 worth of articles for "gifts". If you are an Indian citizen or are of Indian origin, you are entitled to Rs.
25,000 worth of articles, (provided of course you aren't entering through
Nepal, Bhutan or Pakistan.) The other rules are on the web site.
If you are bringing any new packaged items along, it is a good idea to carry
along the invoices for them to show their value. You are also allowed to bring
in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco and 1 liter (2 liters for
Indians) of alcohol duty-free.
If you do not have anything to declare, you can go through the green channel
clearly marked at various airports and generally you will not be harassed.
