Customs & Duties

Entering India
If you are bringing dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high-value articles into India with you, they must be entered on a Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE). These articles must be re-exported at the time of departure. Failure to re-export anything listed on the TBRE means you'll have to pay a duty levied for each missing item.

You can bring in the following duty-free: personal effects (clothes and jewelry); cameras and up to five rolls of film; binoculars; a portable musical instrument; a radio or portable tape recorder; a tent and camping equipment; sports equipment (fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets); 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; .95 liters of liquor; and gifts not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20). You may not bring in dangerous drugs or firearms, gold coins, gold and silver bullion and silver coins not in use, Indian currency, or live plants. Depending on the attitude of the customs' official, you may or may not have to enter a portable computer on a TBRE form.

Departing India
Rupees are not allowed out of India. You must exchange them before you depart. Banking facilities for the conversion of rupees into foreign currency are usually located in the same airport hall as the check-in counters. You have no access to these facilities once you pass through immigration.

All animal products, souvenirs, and trophies are subject to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The export of skins made from protected wildlife species is not allowed, and India is becoming increasingly rigorous in its monitoring of such exports. Such items cannot be imported into many countries, including the United States. As a general rule, avoid any souvenir made of wild animal skins (except crocodile-leather goods). Ivory, unless it can be proved to be old, is also not allowed in the United States, although it is widely available for purchase. Help stop the poaching, which is reducing elephant herds: Don't buy ivory products.

Generally, items more than 100 years old cannot be exported without a permit from the Archaeological Survey. Reputable shops will provide you with the required permit or help you procure it. Items without permits will be detained by Indian Customs if they are believed to be over 100 years old.

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Restricted Areas

MANIPUR :-
Loktak Lake, Imphal, Moirang INA Memorial, Keibul Deer Sanctuary & Waithe Lake, Kongjam War Memorial. All Indian Missions abroad, State Govt. of Manipur, (Home) Commissioner, Manipur and all FROs & MHA can grant permit.

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS :-
Municipal Area, Port Blair, Havelock Island, Long, Neil Island, Jolly Buoy, South and North Cinque, Red Skin, Entire Island of Middle Andaman, excluding tribal reserve. All Islands in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park except Boat, Holoday, Twin Islands. Entire Island of South Andaman, excluding tribal reserve, Basatang Island, North Passage Island, Little Andaman Islands excluding tribal reserve, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Rangat, Mt. Harriet, Madhuban, Ross Island, Narcondum Island, Interview Island, Brother Island, Sister Island, Barren Island. Individual tourists are permitted, 30 days allowed. All Indian Missions abroad, all FROs & MHA, Immigration officer, Port Blair can grant permit.

SIKKIM :-
Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodang, Pemayangtse Khecheperi and Tashiging. Individual tourists permitted, 15 days allowed (+15 days extension can be granted by state government). In Zongri in West Sikkim, individual tourists not permitted, 15 days allowed. In Tsangu (Chhangu) Lake in East Sikkim, individual tourists not permitted and only a day's visit is allowed. At Mangan, Tong, Singhik, Chungthang, Lachung and Yumthang, individual tourists are not permitted, 5 days allowed. All Indian Missions abroad, all FROs & MHA, Immigration officers at airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and New Delhi, Chief Secretary/Home Secretary/ Secretary (Tourism) Govt. of Sikkim, I.G of Police, Gangtok, Commissioners & Resident Dy Directors, Sikkim Govt., at Siliguri, New Delhi, Calcutta and Tourist Officers of Govt. of Sikkim can grant permit.

MIZORAM :-
Vairangte, Thingdawl and Aizawl. Individual tourists are not allowed, 10 days permitted. Home Commissioner, Govt. of Mizoram, Aizawl, all FRROs at Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta, Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai and all Indian Missions abroad can grant permit. Tourist groups may travel on the identified tour circuits only.

HIMACHAL PRADESH :-
Poo-Khab-Sumdho-Dhankar-Tabo-Gompa-Kaza and Morang-Dabling. Individual tourists not permitted. Permit can be granted by MHA/Govt. of Himachal Pradesh/D.M/S.D.M concerned/ITBP/Spl. Commissioner (Tourism)/Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi, DG of Police, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH :-
Itanagar, Ziro, Along, Pasighat, Miao, Namdapha & Tipi Sujusa (Puki), Bhalukpong. Permit can be granted by Home Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar, circuits only.

UTTAR PRADESH :-
Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Niti Ghati and Kalindi Khal in Chamoli District. Adjoining areas of Milam glacier. Permit can be obtained from MHA/Govt. Of Uttar Pradesh/DM/SDM concerned/ITBP. Individual tourists not permitted.

JAMMU & KASHMIR :-
Khalste Sub-Division (Drokahpa Area) Khltse-Dumkhar-Skroduchan Hanudo-Biana-Dha. Individual tourists not permitted, 7 days allowed. Tourists groups are to travel on the identified tour circuits only. Other restricted areas are Leh-Khardung, La Khalsar-Tirit upto Panamik, Leh-Khardung La-Khalsar upto Hunder, Leh-Sabo-Digar, La Digar-Labab-Khungru Gampa-Tangar in Nubra sub-division, Leh-Upshi-Chumathang-Mahe-Puga-Tso-Moari Lake/Korzok, Leh-Karu-Chang, La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Lukung-Spanmik. (Pangong Lake upto Spankmik) in Nyoma Sub-Division. Tourists are allowed only for trekking conducted by approved tourists operators and accompanied by state police personnel. MHA/District Magistrates concerned can issue permits.

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Local Customs

Holy Sites
Visiting a religious monument demands respect. With all sects, you must remove your shoes before entering a shrine, even if it seems in ruins (in some places, such as the Taj Mahal, cloth overshoes are provided for a small charge). All religions ask that you do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages on the premises or speak in a raised voice. Some structures are off-limits to visitors who don't practice the faith; don't try to bribe your way inside. Women should always be properly dressed and should cover the head before entering a Sikh gurdwara (temple) or a mosque.

When you enter a mosque, you are supposed to step right foot first over the threshold into the courtyard. Some Hindu and Jain temples prohibit all leather products inside a shrine--shoes, belts, handbags, camera cases. Many temples also expect you to purify yourself by washing your hands and feet in a nearby tap or tank before you enter. No visitor in a gurdwara should point his or her feet toward the Holy Book or step over any one sitting in prayer or meditation. In some religious shrines, sexes are separated. Look around before you sit.

Many well-meaning tourists commit an unforgivable sacrilege when they visit a Buddhist monastery. You're perfectly welcome to spin any prayer wheel, but just as you must circumambulate the interior and exterior of a monastery, stupa, or mani wall in a clockwise direction, you must follow this rule when you spin a prayer wheel. Inside the monastery, interior cushions and chairs are reserved for lamas (monks). Sit on the steps outside or on the floor. If you have the opportunity to meet a rimpoche (head lama) or a respected monk, it's polite not to turn your back on him when you leave. Also remove your hat and lower an umbrella within the confines of a monastery. This courtesy is also observed in the presence of a lama.

Home Visits
If you are welcomed into a house, try to observe the rules governing the seating. Often men sit separate from women. If you are in doubt, ask. There are numerous other customs associated with food and the partaking of meals. In many households, you arrive, you sit and talk, and then the food is served. After you eat, the evening is over. Don't be surprised if the woman of the house serves her guests but doesn't join the gathering. Don't protest, don't follow her into the kitchen (frequently in orthodox Hindu homes the kitchen is off-limits). Just accept her behavior as the tradition of this particular home. In some circumstances, you may not be given utensils; use your right hand (the left is considered unclean). If you want second helpings or if you are buying openly displayed food, don't help yourself with your hands, especially in a Hindu society; this act pollutes the food. Let your host or vendor serve you.

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Emergencies

Police (tel.100);
Fire (tel.101);
Ambulance (tel.102).
Hospital Emergency Rooms Contact the East West Medical Center
(38 Golf Links, New Delhi 110003,tel.11/462-3738,11/469-9229,11/469-0955,or11/469-8865;fax 11/469-0428 or 11/463-2382).

East West can provide a referral list of doctors, dentists, opticians, chemists, and lawyers throughout India. It is also the only clinic in India (so far) recognized by most international insurance companies. Patients, however, pay for services and are reimbursed by their own company or can arrange for payment through S.O.S. East West accepts major cards and is open 24 hours. It also provides 24-hour emergency medical services (including medivac) anywhere in India.

Doctors and Dentists Most hotels have house physicians and dentists on call. Your consulate will also give you the name of a reputable doctor or dentist, or contact the East West Clinic in Delhi.

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Changing Money

India has strict rules against importing or exporting its currency. International airports have currency-exchange booths that are always open for arriving or departing overseas flights. When you change money, remember to get a certain amount in small denominations. Also reject torn bills. Many merchants, hotels, and restaurants won't accept worn or tattered bills, and it's a hassle to go to a bank to get them exchanged.

Always change money from an authorized money-changer and insist on receiving an encashment slip. Some banks now charge a nominal fee for this slip, which is necessary if you plan to pay hotel bills or travel expenses in rupees. The encashment slip is also required if you need to reconvert rupees into your own currency at departure. Do not be lured by illegal street hawkers who offer you a higher exchange rate.

India's state-run banks can take forever to cash traveler's checks. Save time and use American Express Traveler's Service. Otherwise, cash the check at the foreign-exchange counter at your hotel. Rates will be slightly lower, but you will save irritation and time. Most Western-style hotels have foreign-exchange facilities for their guests.

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Old Old & New City Names