TRAVEL TOOLKIT
Currency Converter
A foreigner can bring in any amount of foreign currency, travelers cheques,
etc., and take out as much as he brought in. However if carrying foreign exchange
in excess of US$ 5000 or its equivalent in another currency, US$ 10,000 in the
form of travelers cheques, or a combination of currency and travelers cheques
in excess of US$ 10,000 you must declare it on arrival on the Currency Declaration
Form (CDF), to be attested by the Customs Officer.
Indian currency is the Indian Rupee/Rupees (Re/Rs). It is not possible to purchase
these before you leave your country. If you want cash on arrival it is best
to get it at the airport bank. Rupee notes are printed in the denomination of
Rupees 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are minted in denominations of
Rupees 5, 2, 1, and paise 50 and 25. Indian currency conversion rules are much
more relaxed than a decade ago. However it is recommended that visitors carry
travelers cheques of reputed companies such as Thomas cook, American Express
etc. They have to almost always be exchanged in banks or hotels, and are not
easily accepted for direct payment unless accompanied by a passport. Credit
cards are increasingly acceptable in the main centers though in smaller cities
it is still rare to pay by credit card. There are several ATMs in several major
towns, but several of these are for local account holders. Here again reputed
companies such as Visa, Master, and Cirrus are becoming increasingly acceptable.
Changing money through unauthorized dealers is illegal. Most large government
banks in India such as State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda have foreign exchange
counters and give cash against Visa/Master cards. Bank rates and hotel rates
do not vary much, but always retain the encashment certificate when you change
money through authorized dealers. Telegraphic transfers are possible through
international banks such as American Express, HKB, Barclays, ABN AMRO and Standard
Chartered bank but transfer fee up to $30 may be charged.
TRAVEL FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED
India is slowly gearing up for making provisions for the physically handicapped
or wheel chair bound traveler. Access to buildings, toilets, pavements, kerbs
and public transport may not be wheel chair friendly, however, it makes up with
easily available manpower for lifting and carrying provided there is an able
bodied companion to help. Most international chain hotels in India have designated
rooms/toilets for the physically handicapped.
IMPORT AND EXPORT RESTRICTIONS
The Duty Free Import Allowance for foreign tourists includes 200 cigarettes
(or 50 cigars or 250 gms tobacco) and liquor and wines upto32 oz (1 litre).
Articles of personal use including cameras, a reasonable quantity of jewellery,
one pair of binoculars, one portable musical instrument, one radio set, one
tape recorder, one portable typewriter, laptop computer, one perambulator and
professional equipment, on the undertaking that you will take them back with
you when leaving India. The duty rate beyond the free baggage allowance is 61.4
per cent. High value items such as notebook computer, video camera, photographic
equipment for use during your stay in India, on arrival should ask for the items
to endorsed on the passport. This endorsement along with the items should be
shown to the Customs Officer at the time of departure, in such cases no duty
would be payable.
The visitor can take back all articles brought in by him. In addition, he can
take out the following purchased in India:
- Souvenirs (including Indian silk, wool, handicrafts, etc.) without
limit.
- Gold jewellery, silverware and jewellery with precious stones for
which if the value is high and quantity large an export certificate
should be obtained from the customs authority in advance of travel.
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There are restrictions on the export of antiquities and art objects more than
100 years old. Export of wildlife products is prohibited or strictly regulated;
therefore avoid buying anything made of ivory, reptile skin, fur, musk, tortoise
shells, mongoose hair, and any part of wild life animals.
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