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India’s Transfer of Residence scheme can make a household move genuinely duty-free – but it isn’t automatic, and it isn’t available to everyone. It’s specifically for Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin who’ve lived abroad for at least two years. If that’s you, it’s worth understanding properly before you book anything. If it isn’t, your move manager will be upfront about what that means for your cost instead of letting you assume the best case.
Transfer of Residence eligibility, the ₹5 lakh value cap, and the electronics-duty exceptions all need to be confirmed and documented correctly before your shipment leaves the UK – not sorted out reactively once it’s already at Indian customs. Your move manager checks your eligibility at the first conversation, prepares the paperwork Indian customs actually requires, and stays your one continuous point of contact from survey through to delivery, working with an in-country partner who manages clearance on the ground.
If you qualify for Transfer of Residence (TR) relief – Indian citizenship or Person of Indian Origin status, with at least 2 years spent abroad immediately before your move, and no more than 6 months spent in India during that period – you can import used household goods and personal effects duty-free, up to an aggregate value of ₹5 lakh (one unit of each item per family: washing machine, refrigerator up to 300 litres, cooking range, general furniture, and similar).
There are named exceptions that face duty regardless of TR status:
If you don’t qualify for TR relief – for example, a UK citizen without Indian origin moving to India for work – different, generally less favourable duty terms apply. Your move manager will confirm your specific situation and give you an accurate cost picture before quoting; get in touch for a personalised quote either way.
TR relief also has a 6-month rule not previously used in the past 3 years: your goods must be shipped within six months of your arrival in India, and you must not have already used the TR concession in the preceding three years. Customs clearance typically involves 100% physical inspection as standard practice, so an accurate, valued inventory matters for keeping the process moving.
Generally permitted, within the TR duty-free allowance: clothing, books, kitchenware, general furniture, small appliances (mixers, juicers, irons), and one unit each of specified larger items (washing machine, cooking range, laptop, small fridge), up to the ₹5 lakh aggregate cap.
Restricted – duty applies regardless of TR status: large flat-panel TVs, air conditioners, fridges above 300 litres, and new (not used) electronic items, all at approximately 38.5% duty.
Effectively prohibited by cost: alcohol and spirits, given the roughly 160% duty plus potential penalties – not worth including in a personal shipment.
Gerson Moving Services holds British Association of Removers (BAR) membership with the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee, International Association of Movers (IAM) accreditation, Planet Mark sustainability certification, and is part of the AGM Group of companies. Disputes are handled through the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO).
When moving with us, you have a comprehensive choice of services that ensure removals to India are secure, safe and efficient.
Experts in packing and wrapping, we use only premium materials to ensure all of your belongings stay in great condition throughout the journey. Everything you want to take will have extra care and attention from us, so you won’t need to worry about any mishaps during the long trip to India.
If you have bulky furniture to take with you, leave it to us to ensure it arrives safely. We can handle everything from large tables to wardrobes, beds and sofas, ready for use when you move in. If required, we can also disassemble furniture where this is possible for easier transit.
Have valuable or fragile items that need extra protection? Take advantage of our specialist packing services for these items that go above and beyond to protect them during their onward journey. Everything from antiques to your priceless sentimental possessions will be securely wrapped.
Get from A to B with minimal effort with door-to-door delivery during international removals to India. Wherever in the country you’re moving to, we can provide onward transit after shipping to ensure you’ve got all your items ready to unpack in your new home.
Make the complicated aspect of customs and immigration as simple as possible with our help. We’ve assisted many individuals and families filling in confusing or time-consuming documentation for India, so we’ll ensure nothing important is missed.
We offer temporary storage if you need this both in the UK and once you’ve arrived in India. Both short and long-term options are available if you need them, so that you won’t have to rush if you need more time before the move or after arrival.
We offer a simple 4 step process for all international removals to India that makes it simple for you:
Get A Move
Quote
Packing &
Collection
Sea, Air or Road
Transport
Delivery and
Unpacking
Get in touch for a personalised quote. Your move manager will confirm your Transfer of Residence eligibility first, since that’s what actually determines your cost – not the size of your shipment alone.
Real feedback from people who chose our international moving company.
“Indian customs paperwork was the part we dreaded most. Gerson’s team knew exactly what was needed, and our shipment cleared Mumbai port without a single delay.”
“We moved from Reading to Bengaluru for my husband’s posting. The survey was thorough, the packing careful, and everything reached our new flat in perfect condition.”
“First international move and I asked endless questions. Gerson never once made me feel a nuisance, and our belongings arrived in Delhi exactly when they said they would.”
No. Duty-free import under Transfer of Residence relief is specifically available to Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin who’ve lived abroad for at least 2 years (with no more than 6 months in India during that period). If you don’t meet this criteria, different duty terms apply – your move manager will confirm your situation before quoting.
₹5 lakh aggregate value under Transfer of Residence relief, covering one unit each of specified items like a washing machine, cooking range, and general furniture.
Not all of them. Large flat-panel TVs, air conditioners, fridges above 300 litres, and new electronic items face approximately 38.5% duty regardless of TR status.
Six months from your arrival date, and you must not have used the TR concession in the preceding three years.
Yes. Your dedicated move manager is your primary contact from the initial survey through to delivery in India, working alongside a local partner for customs clearance and final delivery.
