NEW DELHI:
The finance ministry has directed all duty free shops at international airports to display price of items only in rupees and accept card payments in the Indian currency (INR).
Prevailing exchange rate will be applicable if purchases are made in foreign currency, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said in a circular. Currently, price of goods sold at duty free shops at international passenger terminals are displayed in US dollars and the forex conversion charges are borne by the passengers along with transaction fee and other levies.
“It has been decided to extend the facility of payments in Indian rupees, through INR debit cards or credit cards at duty free shops, without any need for conversion of foreign currency into Indian Rupees,” the circular said. In order to ensure effective implementation of the new norms, it said, the duty free shops “shall henceforth, mandatorily display the price of all goods on sale in Indian rupees only”.
The ceiling for an incoming passenger at the arrival terminal has been retained at Rs 25,000. “However, payments through a INR credit card or debit card at duty free shops located in the departure hall shall be without limit for an outgoing passenger,” CBEC said.
There will be, however a ceiling of payment in cash at Rs 25,000 at duty free shops. As per the CBEC, passenger making payments through credit /debit card “are not subject to paying for merchandise in foreign currency and accordingly do not have to bear any attendant charges for conversion of foreign exchange”.

more recommended stories
KINFRA Signs MoU with Goldsikka Pvt Ltd to Set up Global Gold City at MattannurTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA).
Rs 99.52 Cr for KSUM; Three New Schemes Rolled OutTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The State Budget for 2026-27, presented.
KSUM Invites Kerala Startups to Showcase Innovations at Convergence India Expo 2026 in New DelhiKOCHI:The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has.
CIAL International Cargo Business Summit to be held on January 31 and February 1KOCHI:Cochin International Airport Limited, in collaboration.
Talent Pool, Infrastructure Scale-up Propel Technopark KollamKOLLAM:With multiple infrastructure projects underway, improved.
Milma Signs MoU with Food Links to Market Products to Gulf CountriesKOCHI:Scaling up its overseas market, Kerala.
UST Adopt-a-Village CSR Initiative Hands Over 2 More Water Treatment PlantsTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The hugely successful Adopt-a-Village programme spearheaded.
Alzone Software Opens New Office at TechnoparkTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Leading Robotics Process Automation (RPA) and.
Kerala has Become the Most ideal State for Industries: Finance MinisterKOCHI:“Kerala has evolved as an ideal.
BPCL Leads Nationwide Push to Expand PNG and CNG AdoptionMUMBAI:Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a.