OVERVIEW
India is beautiful and amazing at the same time, a place where sacred cows can bask in the sun on heavenly beaches next to modern hotels and where ancient temples look good next to shiny office buildings. Shiny trains run through rural areas where nothing has changed for hundreds of years. One sixth of the world’s population lives in India. It is a huge, diverse and, above all, unforgettably beautiful country.
Numerous magnificent palaces, temples and monuments have emerged from India’s incredible history. The most visited place in India is the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
The populous cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) are charming in a bustling, colorful way, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are well worth a pilgrimage.
The tropical beaches of Goa and Kerala await sun-seeking tourists. Fresh air and absolute peace can be found in the pristine mountains and in the hill country of India, from the imposing Himalayas to a multitude of beautiful pine forests to orchards and bubbling streams.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
The following articles may be imported into India duty-free (people aged 17 and over) if they do not enter via Nepal:
- 100 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 125 grams of tobacco;
- 2 l spirits;
- a laptop;
Personal use items and gifts up to a value of Rs 8,000; other amounts for citizens of India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan depending on the country and length of stay.
High quality items such as video cameras must be declared upon entry. Offenses against the Narcotics Act are punished with draconian imprisonment even if small quantities (including hashish) are owned. Violation of customs regulations threatens arrest on departure.
CURRENCY
1 Indian rupee = 100 paises. Currency abbreviation: Rs, INR (ISO code). Banknotes are available in denominations of 2000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 rupees; Coins in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 Rs as well as 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 Paise.
Note: 1 and 2 rupee notes and 5 paises coins are no longer in production, but many of them are still in circulation.
Please note: the old 500 and 1000 rupee notes were declared invalid in November 2016. New 500 rupee notes and 2000 rupee notes have now been issued. New 1000, 100 and 50 rupee notes are slated to be put into circulation in the near future.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE REGULATIONS
For the import of the national currency from a value of 25,000 Rs a declaration is required. According to Countryaah, the export of the local currency is allowed up to Rs 25,000.
For the import of foreign currencies with a value of more than US $ 5,000 in cash and / or US $ 10,000 in travelers’ checks, a declaration is required (declaration is also recommended for lower amounts). Export up to the amount declared, minus the exchange amounts. When exchanging money, a receipt must be countersigned or a corresponding certificate issued. These documents must be presented upon departure in order to enable the exchange.