How Much Cash Can You Carry While Traveling Abroad?
Ankita Rai | Thu, 13 Mar 2025
When traveling abroad, carrying cash beyond the permitted limit can lead to serious consequences. This article provides a detailed breakdown of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations regarding how much cash Indian travelers can carry, bring back, and exchange for international trips. It also covers guidelines for foreign nationals entering India, purchasing foreign currency, and using credit cards for overseas transactions. Understanding these rules ensures hassle-free travel and compliance with financial laws.
( Image credit : Pixabay )
Photo:
Here's what to know about how much cash you can take abroad. Bringing more than the allowed may have grave, punitive consequences — a situation that could see you lose your precious trip, be denied boarding, or worse, find yourself in front a judge somewhere with a rap sheet. Here are the directions issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for seamless travelling experience.
Indian residents traveling abroad—other than to Bhutan and Nepal—may carry up to $3,000 in cash per trip. If you require greater foreign currency, then the surplus has to be taken through:
Prepaid Forex Cards
Traveler’s Cheques
Bank Drafts
For Iraq and Libya, travelers may carry no more than $5,000 in cash.
While trip to Iran, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) which forbids carrying forex entitlement in multiple forms, the traveller can carry his entire forex entitlement ($ 250,000) in cash if required.
Also, Haj and Umrah pilgrims are allowed to carry their entire forex entitlements in cash.
If carrying a large amount of cash is not always a good idea for security matters, knowing the legal limits can help you plan your finances successfully.
Beginning from a foreign trip (except for Bhutan and Nepal), you are eligible to bring back up to ₹25,000 in Indian currency.
But if you are returning from Nepal or Bhutan, you cannot carry Indian currency notes of denomination higher than ₹100.
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in by a person into India. However, if you are carrying:
More than $5,000 in cash, or
Over $10,000 in total (traveler’s cheques, bank notes, etc.)
Then, when you arrive, you have to declare it at customs on a Currency Declaration Form (CDF).
In case, you want to buy foreign currency in India, here are the rules:
You can pay cash if the amount is less than ₹50,000.
Payments of ₹50,000 or more must be made by cheque, demand draft, debit/credit card, or online transfer.
Also, buying from banks or authorized money exchangers tends to be cheaper than at airports, which charge 3~4% more.
Surrender of unused Foreign Currency: Foreign currency that has not been used during the travel should be surrendered within 180 days of returning to India.
But they can have up to $2,000 in the bank for the future.
How Far in Advance Should You Exchange Foreign Currency?
Cross conversion should ideally be done 60 days in advance of your journey to avoid a panic exchange on your trip. Exchanging money at airports is usually not as cost-effective, so plan ahead and do it at money exchangers and banks — they provide the best exchange rates.
When credit cards registered abroad are convenient shopping and payments abroad incur additional fees. Every transaction may incur:
Currency conversion charges
Transaction fees per swipe between ₹90 and ₹150
Credit cards are accepted everywhere, but cash is easier to use in some cases (due to proximity, exchange rate, etc.).
As such, staying updated on the RBI guidelines makes sure the legal requirements are met to avoid any unnecessary disruption in traveling. With good financial planning, you can pay attention to your journey without thinking about cash limitation.
Travel from India to Another Country with Foreign Currency
cash
( Image credit : Pexels )
Indian residents traveling abroad—other than to Bhutan and Nepal—may carry up to $3,000 in cash per trip. If you require greater foreign currency, then the surplus has to be taken through:
Prepaid Forex Cards
Traveler’s Cheques
Bank Drafts
Exceptions to this rule:
For Iraq and Libya, travelers may carry no more than $5,000 in cash.
While trip to Iran, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) which forbids carrying forex entitlement in multiple forms, the traveller can carry his entire forex entitlement ($ 250,000) in cash if required.
Also, Haj and Umrah pilgrims are allowed to carry their entire forex entitlements in cash.
If carrying a large amount of cash is not always a good idea for security matters, knowing the legal limits can help you plan your finances successfully.
Re-introduction of Indian Currency into the Indian Territory
Beginning from a foreign trip (except for Bhutan and Nepal), you are eligible to bring back up to ₹25,000 in Indian currency.
But if you are returning from Nepal or Bhutan, you cannot carry Indian currency notes of denomination higher than ₹100.
Foreign Tourists Bringing Money to India
airport
( Image credit : Pexels )
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in by a person into India. However, if you are carrying:
More than $5,000 in cash, or
Over $10,000 in total (traveler’s cheques, bank notes, etc.)
Then, when you arrive, you have to declare it at customs on a Currency Declaration Form (CDF).
Buying Foreign Currency for Your Foreign Travels
In case, you want to buy foreign currency in India, here are the rules:
You can pay cash if the amount is less than ₹50,000.
Payments of ₹50,000 or more must be made by cheque, demand draft, debit/credit card, or online transfer.
Also, buying from banks or authorized money exchangers tends to be cheaper than at airports, which charge 3~4% more.
Foreign Currency Exchange and Returning After Your Trip
travellers
( Image credit : Pixabay )
Surrender of unused Foreign Currency: Foreign currency that has not been used during the travel should be surrendered within 180 days of returning to India.
But they can have up to $2,000 in the bank for the future.
How Far in Advance Should You Exchange Foreign Currency?
Cross conversion should ideally be done 60 days in advance of your journey to avoid a panic exchange on your trip. Exchanging money at airports is usually not as cost-effective, so plan ahead and do it at money exchangers and banks — they provide the best exchange rates.
International spending with charging cards
airport
( Image credit : Pexels )
When credit cards registered abroad are convenient shopping and payments abroad incur additional fees. Every transaction may incur:
Currency conversion charges
Transaction fees per swipe between ₹90 and ₹150
Credit cards are accepted everywhere, but cash is easier to use in some cases (due to proximity, exchange rate, etc.).
As such, staying updated on the RBI guidelines makes sure the legal requirements are met to avoid any unnecessary disruption in traveling. With good financial planning, you can pay attention to your journey without thinking about cash limitation.
