A UAE-based Indian expat’s gold chain, worn daily for years, has led to a significant legal ruling that benefits many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The case began last year when the expat, returning to India for a wedding, was stopped at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport by customs officers. His 28-gram gold chain, considered a personal item, was seized by customs for allegedly exceeding baggage allowances.
Despite the expat’s explanation and proof that the chain was not new, officials insisted on a fine of Rs18,000 (Dh770) and a Rs25,000 (Dh1,070) redemption fee. Refusing to accept this, the expat filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. His lawyer presented evidence of the chain’s long usage and the authenticity of the wedding.
The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of the expat, quashing the penalties and directing the return of the gold chain. The court acknowledged the outdated baggage rules and ordered that seized jewelry be returned without penalty. The ruling highlighted that long-used jewelry, whether inherited or worn frequently, should not be treated as suspicious or subject to seizure. 
The case follows other rulings that have condemned the routine confiscation of NRIs’ jewelry, including a recent case where customs took 190 grams of jewelry from a woman returning from Bangkok. The court ruled the seizure unjustified and ordered the return of the jewelry with no storage charges.
As a result of these rulings, it is clear that wearing old or gifted jewelry should not lead to harassment or seizure. Many expats, particularly those from the UAE, are now less likely to face problems when carrying their jewelry during travel.
