Bringing iphone from usa to India (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to bring iPhone from USA to India? ›

You can carry the new iPhone in your pocket but custom duty is required to be paid if the total value is greater than 10,000 Indian rupees. You can carry a mobile but if you do not declare it on the customs form, you may have to pay a penalty if you are caught.

Duties on the Import of iPhones

iPhones imported into India are subjected to a basic customs duty (BCD) of 20%.

Carrying one sealed box of iPhone might not be an issue but if you are carrying 3-4 devices, you will have to show the receipts of your purchases and might even have to pay a customs duty. So, it's better that you avoid carrying more than two phones on your flight from USA to India.

Technically, Indian customs regulations only allow one phone per person duty-free. However, if both phones' combined value falls under the duty-free limit, you should be okay. If one phone is new and sealed (indicating a gift perhaps), you'll need to declare it, show a purchase receipt, and explain its purpose.

Most consumer personal electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, data loggers, PDAs, electronic games, tablets, laptop computers, cameras, camcorders, watches, calculators, etc.

Whatever you bring into India, you have to pay Customs Duty on that if exceeds the limit of buggage allowances permissible under customs regulations. As the value of iPhone 12 may exceed the permissible limit, you have to pay Customs Duty on it.

As of 2021, Indian customs regulations allow individuals to bring in only one mobile phone per person. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these regulations to avoid any potential problems at the border.

Usually, you can carry one laptop, one tablet and one mobile phone without any hassle when traveling from USA to India. You are not required to fill a customs declaration form if the value of your personal gadgets is within the duty-free limit.

Duty-free Products

2 litres per passport when you are arriving in India. 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars or 125g of tobacco when you arrive in India. The total value of duty-free purchases cannot exceed Rs 50,000.

In India, imported smartphones face an 18 per cent GST and a 22 per cent customs duty, with a 10 per cent surcharge on the basic customs duty. Locally manufactured smartphones, however, are only subject to the 18 per cent GST.

What is the custom duty on phones in India? ›

Duties on mobile phones, chargers, and printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) were reduced from 20% to 15%.

The GSM Network in India

Like Europe and most of the world, the GSM frequency bands in India are 900 megahertz and 1,800 megahertz. This means that for your phone to work in India, it must be compatible with these frequencies on a GSM network. (In North America, the common GSM frequencies are 850/1900 megahertz).

Budget 2024: Basic customs duty on mobile phones and chargers reduced to 15% Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam announced Union Budget 2024, lowering customs duty on mobile phones and components to 15%. Domestic production skyrocketed, exports surged. Proposed exemptions for connectors and oxygen-free copper.

A USA sourced iPhone 15 (any version) will be eSIM only. The USA hardware version does not have a slot for a physical SIM. I checked with the Support and they said AppleCare warranty will work in India. Check this Apple Support document to find your carrier in India.