This page contains a brief description of Customs reglulations of importance to travellers entering Rajasthan, India. See Directorate of Customs for latest information.

Duty-Free Imports

Travel gear and other luggage
Travellers who are residing abroad may import free of duty clothing and other travel gear which they bring into Iceland for their personal use, provided that these articles may be deemed to be suitable and normal relative to the purpose of the journey, the length of stay and circumstances in general.

Food
Travellers may import duty-free up to 3 kg of food, not exceeding the value of ISK 13.000.

Alcoholic beverages and tobaccos
In addition to goods referred to above, travellers can import duty-free alcoholic beverages and tobacco products as follows: - 1 litre spirits, 1 litre wines and 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products; - 1 litre spirits, 6 litres beer and 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products; - 1 litre wines, 6 litres beer and 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products; or - 2,25 litres wines and 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products. Spirits comprise alcoholic beverages having 22-79% alcoholic content; wines comprise alcoholic beverages, other than beer, having less alcohol content. The minimum age for bringing alcoholic beverages into Iceland is 20 years and 18 years for tobaccos.

Import restrictions and prohibitions
The provisions of the regulations regarding duty-free imports by travellers do not give excemptions from import restrictions nor import prohibitions on various types of articles in accordance with law, regulations or other administrative instructions.

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Restricted articles

Among goods which are subject to import restrictions are the following types of products:

Telephones and other communications equipment
The importation of various types of telephonic and communications equipment is subject to a permit from the Post and Telecom Administration. Equipment requiring such permit includes cordless phones, remote control devices for toys and radio transmitters and receivers not intended for regular broadcasting reception. However, a permit is not required if a traveller imports one GSM mobile phone.

Angling gear, riding gear and riding clothing
Angling gear, riding gear and riding clothing which has been used outside Iceland, including gloves, boots and waders, may be brought into the country if it has been disinfected according to valid regulations. A certificate of disinfection, issued by an authorized veterinary officer, will be acceptable, if presented to customs. If such a certificate is not presented, the gear has to be disinfected at the possessors' own cost on arrival.

Firearms and Ammunition
For firearms and ammunition, which a traveller brings in for own use, a permit is required from the police authorities.

Live Animals
Live animals may be imported only with a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Medicines
Travellers may import conventional medicines suitable for personal needs during their stay in Iceland. There is a criterion: the medicines may not exceed 100 days consumption. Customs officers can request a doctor´s certificate if appropriate.

Flowers and other plants
A phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the country of cultivation, endorsed by the Icelandic Agricultural Research Institute, is generally required. Without a certificate a traveller may bring along a bunch of flowers (up to 25 plants), bulbs, tubers and tuberous roots from Europe in unbroken packaging (up to 2 kg) and pot-plants from Europe (up to 3 pcs). -

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Prohibited articles

Among articles which are prohibited from importation are the following types of products: - Narcotics and dangerous drugs.
Uncooked meat and various meat products, e.g. dried meat, uncooked smoked ham, bacon, saddle of pork, smoked uncooked sausages (e.g. salami), uncooked poultry etc.
Meat and meat products have to be fully cooked in order to be allowed into the country.
Uncooked milk and uncooked eggs.
Various weapons, e.g. daggers with blades exceeding 12 cm, switchblade knives and flick stilettos, knuckles and various truncheons, crossbows and handcuffs. If a traveller suspects that the importation of any item, which he is bringing to Iceland, might be restricted or prohibited, he should declare and produce it at customs at his own initiative.

General conditions of duty-free admission
Customs exemptions apply to goods which the traveller concerned has in his possession upon arrival to Iceland and is able to produce to customs for examination. Duty-free importation may also be permitted for unaccompanied baggage if the traveller is able to prove that the baggage would have qualified for duty-free admission if he had brought it with him.
The goods must solely be intended for the personal use of the person concerned, his family or as gifts. Goods intended for sale or other commercial purposes may not be imported free of duty. On leaving Iceland travellers must take along the articles they imported duty-free in so far as they have not been expended in the country.

Customs clearance
A traveller arriving in Iceland from abroad shall voluntarily declare to a customs officer and produce to him all goods in his possession which he can not import duty free or are subject to import restrictions or import prohibitions. If there are red and green channels where the customs clearance of travellers takes place, they are expected to choose channels and by doing so indicate whether they are carrying goods which can be freely imported or not.
The red channel is for those who have in their possession: - dutiable goods or
goods which are subject to import restrictions.
The green channel is for those who have nothing to declare.
If in doubt as to the rules of customs privileges for travellers, import restrictions etc., it is advisable to choose the red channel.
Customs officers can at random request to examine those going through the green channel; the same applies in general at customs examination places that do not have separate customs clearance facilities. These persons must render all relevant assistance, e.g. by opening suitcases and containers, empty their content and to give such information about the luggage as may be requested. If such an inspection reveals goods which have not been declared in accordance with above instructions, the person in question may be liable to legal proceedings.

Vehicles
Special regulations apply concerning the temporary duty-free importation of motor vehicles, cf. a special folder for further information.

Currency
When entering Iceland a tourist may bring with him an unlimited amount of domestic or foreign currency which he has legally in his possession. The same applies when leaving Iceland.

Top Value Added Tax Refund
Tourists who reside abroad can claim a proportional VAT refund when shopping in Iceland. The refund is limited to purchases that are intended to be taken out of the country and amount to a minimum of ISK 4000 (including VAT), made at a single point of sale. The store personnel will fill out the necessary Tax Refund Cheque. The cheque and the purchased goods must be produced and made available for inspection on departure no later than 30 days after purchase.
When departing from Keflavik Airport the Tax Refund Cheque can be cashed in the currency of choice. Other departure points usually offer mail-refund services.

Natural Objects
The Nature Conservation Act is intended to ensure the protection of the diversity of habitats and landscapes, flora and fauna. In the Icelandic flora there are now 31 protected species of higher plants and it is forbidden to collect specimens of these species or damage them in any way. According to a legislation concerning bird-hunting and bird protection in Iceland the export of birds, birds' eggs, eggshells and nests is strictly prohibited. All stalactites and stalagmites in caves throughout the country are protected by law and it is forbidden to break or damage these in any way.
Objects of historical or archaeological interest may not be taken out of the country without special permission from the Icelandic Museum of Natural History. Customs authorities encourage visitors to Iceland to respect and understand that nature is an important, but delicate, resource of permanent value.