Foreign travelers are not allowed to bring rupees into India.

The import and export of Indian currency is regulated differently for different groups of people and is generally prohibited. Binding information is provided by the Reserve Bank of India.

The possession and bringing in of counterfeit money is punishable by heavy fines.

The following goods, among others, are banned: pornographic material, gold (in the form of bars and coins), e-cigarettes, all kinds of bird and pig meat products.

Importation of remote-controlled drones and helicopters is allowed only with an import permit issued by the Ministry of Communications.

Listening and recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful (video) cameras, satellite telephones and binoculars must be declared on entry. Otherwise, very high penalties may be imposed. In addition, the transport of GPS trackers by air is prohibited; this applies to both checked and hand luggage.

An import duty of 60% is levied on goods that exceed the maximum permitted quantity.

Further information and permitted allowances for alcohol, tobacco products and other goods can be found on the following website:

The import and export of protected animal and plant species and products thereof is strictly regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. An import or export therefore requires explicit authorisation in order to avoid confiscation and penalties. Further information can be obtained from the local customs authorities of the country of departure or destination.

The importation of certain medicines (including those prescribed) may be subject to restrictions or prohibited altogether. This particularly applies to opiates, painkillers and psychotropic drugs. However, only the embassy, consulate and/or national customs office can provide reliable information about the rules and regulations currently in force in the destination country. Travellers taking medicines with them are generally advised to carry a multilingual doctor's note that includes details on the active ingredient, as well as the individual and daily dosages.  

Travellers are advised to inform themselves about the most recent customs/import regulations of their destination country at the competent mission abroad prior to departure.

Persons with dual nationality should note that the destination country may not recognize multiple nationalities. The right to consular assistance in the destination country is therefore not guaranteed, i.e. the embassy of the other country may only be able to offer limited or no protection in emergencies (including imprisonment). In addition, travellers may be obliged to perform military service due to national regulations.

The import and export of Indian currency is regulated differently for different groups of people and is generally prohibited. Binding information is provided by the Reserve Bank of India.

The export of antiques is strictly regulated. Detailed information can be found at eIndia Tourism.

The import and export of protected animal and plant species and products thereof is strictly regulated under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. An import or export therefore requires explicit authorisation in order to avoid confiscation and penalties. Further information can be obtained from the local customs authorities of the country of departure or destination.

There is no further information available regarding exit regulations.

No special provisions apply for minors.

An identity document must always be carried. Penalties may be imposed if travellers are unable to present a valid identity document during checks.

Taking photographs of military or security-related facilities and/or of persons in uniform is prohibited and may be prosecuted.

The consumption of alcohol in public places is illegal outside licensed premises and can be punished under criminal law. 

The consumption or possession of alcohol is generally prohibited in Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and the Lakshadweep region.

Any act that can be interpreted as propagating a religion other than the predominant religion in the country is prohibited under criminal law. This also includes the distribution of religious writings.

The possession of e-cigarettes is prohibited in India.

Drug law offences (including drug possession/trafficking/consumption) are punishable and may incur very severe penalties. Long prison sentences can be expected.

The possession and use of satellite telephones is also prohibited unless authorised by the authorities.

The possession of weapons is punishable by law and/or only permitted with authorisation.

Under the following link you will find information on your diplomatic mission abroad:

Citizens of EU member states who do not have their own diplomatic representation in the destination country have the option of obtaining consular assistance from the embassy of another EU member state.

Embassies and foreign missions offer a wide range of services, although these may vary depending on the country and the specific situation.

Important tasks of embassies and consulates:

Protection and support of nationals: they provide assistance in emergencies such as lost passports, accidents or natural disasters. The embassy can also offer support in cases of arrest or imprisonment abroad.
Visas and entry information: Embassies are often responsible for issuing visas and provide information on entry requirements, which may vary depending on the country of destination and origin.
Travel documents: If a passport is lost or stolen, the embassy can issue replacement documents to allow travellers to return home.
Emergency assistance: In crisis situations (such as political unrest or natural disasters), embassies and consulates provide evacuation assistance and safety advice.
Citizen services: Embassies offer services such as the legalisation of documents, the registration of births abroad or assistance with legal matters.

What embassies and consulates cannot provide:

Legal advice and legal representation: embassies cannot offer legal advice or provide legal representation in court. However, they can provide lists of local lawyers.
Financial assistance: As a rule, embassies cannot provide financial assistance or cover travel and accommodation costs, except in very specific emergencies.
Interference in the judiciary of a host country: Embassies cannot interfere with the host country's judicial system or influence its decisions.
Assistance for persons with dual citizenship: The right to consular assistance in the destination country can often not be guaranteed in this case, i.e. in emergencies (e.g. imprisonment) embassies or diplomatic missions abroad may only be able to provide limited assistance or none at all.
Issuing work permits: The issuing of work permits and residence permits is not the responsibility of the embassies, but is regulated by the authorities of the host country.

Practical tips for travellers:

Embassy contact details: Make a note of the contact details of your home country's embassy in the country you are travelling to before you leave. This information can be very valuable in an emergency.
Copies of important documents: Make copies of your passport, visa and other important documents. Keep these separate from the originals.
Informed travelling: Before travelling, find out about the political, social and economic conditions in the host country and observe travel warnings and instructions. Use crisis early warning systems from experienced service providers such as A3M Global Monitoring.