I'm traveling to Bangalore on Friday and will have two laptops with me. Both used - One for work and one personal. Do I still have to pay customs duty on the laptop? I am an Indian citizen traveling from New York.

I will be carrying both laptops as cabin baggage and will not be checking them in.

Thanks!

It depends on the customs officer. For the official laptop do carry your company documents, gate pass etc which prove it is official. I had once returned from an international travel back to India (Mumbai airport) and had 2 laptops, the customs offical questioned me and told me 2 laptops are not allowed but i told them one is official and had relevant tags, stickers and documents too, he then left me without any duty.

Thanks Rak007. Official letter from company... hmm.. I need to figure out how to get that.. I'm not sure if there is anything like that where I work..

If it's a business trip, someone in the company should be able to help with this. They should also help if it's for their conveneince that you will use the work computer during a personal trip. In a small firm, if there isn't someone obvious who is responsible and has experience in such issues, you could draft an appropriate letter and ask someone with authority to sign a hard copy on letterhead. Wouldn't the company otherwise reimburse the customs duty, even on both laptops for a business trip if policy forbids personal use of your business machine?

Can you perhaps carry an ipad or similar for your personal use instead of a big laptop? However, be careful regarding how India treats ipads, particularly if they could fit into the computer category.

MSPeconomist, It's not a purely business trip and I am traveling alone. It is a personal trip but I will be working from home as well while I am there - Hence the need for my work laptop. I work in a large firm so I'm sure there is someone in charge of this. I just need to figure out who it is and if they can get me the letter in a day and a half. The company will not reimburse me for any duties because this is a pleasure trip. And I don't own an iPad .

i assume you will be taking both back....if so then if they stop you let them know you will be carrying both back....they will make a note of it on your passport & you won't have to pay duty....

I did this many times, traveling from the UK to Bangalore and back with 2 laptops. Never had any issues whatsoever. I really wouldn't worry.