Outgoing and Incoming Travellers Allowed to Carry 25k in Rupees

[RBI Circular No. 146 dated 19^th June 2014]

Sub: Export and Import of Currency: Enhanced facilities for residents and non-residents

Attention of Authorised Persons is invited to Regulation (3) of Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009, notified vide Notification No.FEMA.258/2013-RB dated February 15, 2013 and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. No. 39 dated September 6, 2013, in terms of which, any person resident in India may take outside India or having gone out of India on a temporary visit, may bring into India (other than to and from Nepal and Bhutan) currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs.10,000 (Rupees Ten Thousand only).

2. In view of the evolving economic conditions and with a view to facilitating travel requirements of residents travelling aboard as well as non-residents visiting India, it has been decided to allow all residents and non-residents (except citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh and also other travellers coming from and going to Pakistan and Bangladesh) to take out Indian currency notes up to Rs. 25,000 while leaving the country. An announcement to this effect was made in the Second Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2014-15 released on June 3, 2014.

3. Accordingly, any person resident in India:

i) may take outside India (other than to Nepal and Bhutan) currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs.25,000 (Rupees twenty five thousand only); and

ii) who had gone out of India on a temporary visit, may bring into India at the time of his return from any place outside India (other than from Nepal and Bhutan), currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs.25,000 (Rupees twenty five thousand only).

4. Any person resident outside India, not being a citizen of Pakistan and Bangladesh and also not a traveller coming from and going to Pakistan and Bangladesh, and visiting India:

i) may take outside India currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs. 25,000 (Rupees twenty five thousand only) while exiting only through an airport.

ii) may bring into India currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs. 25,000 (Rupees twenty five thousand only) while entering only through an airport.

5. Authorised Persons may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents, customers and foreign counter parties concerned.

6. Necessary amendments [No. FEMA. 309/2014-RB dated June 4, 2014] to Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations 2000 (Notification No.FEMA.6/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000) have been notified in the Official Gazette vide G.S.R. Nos. 399(E) dated June 12, 2014, a copy of which is annexed.

7. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.