ANTIQUES

Antiques which include sculpture, painting or other works of art and crafts,
illustrative of science, art, crafts, religion of bygone ages and of historical
interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years may
not be exported out of India. Manuscripts, or other documents of scientific,
historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy-five
years; art treasures-not necessarily antiques but of artistic and aesthetic value,
also cannot be exported out of India. For clarification on the antiquity of an
artifact, tourists can contact the following authorities and get information on
the Acts and Rules governing Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.

New Delhi:
Director General, Archaeological Survey of India,
Janpath, New Delhi-110011
Telephone: 3019451, 3018879.
 

OTHER EXPORT RESTRICTIONS

Re-export of all articles In full, brought Into India temporarily with the permission
of  the Customs authorities. The following articles can be exported without any
export trade control All articles, Including travel souvenirs brought in from outside
the country by the tourist Souvenirs including Indian silk, Wool, artware, etc.

Gold Jewelry: Any person not ordinarily resident in India may take out from India.
Jewelry made mainly or wholly of gold with out limit provided that the jewelry was
previously brought by him Into India from abroad with the permission of the Customs
authorities. Such a person may also take at any one time out of India, jewelry made
mainly or wholly of gold up to Rs, 2000 in value purchased by him in India.

Other jewelry: Any person other than a person domiciled in India may take out with
him/her any precious stone or jewelry with him into India on his arrival into the country
without limit; and precious stones or jewelry other than articles wholly or mainly of gold
purchased by him/her in India upto Rs.10,000 in value.
 

RESTRICTIONS PERTAINING TO EXPORTS OF ARTICLES MADE 
FROM ANIMALS ETC.

The Government of India is concerned about the conservation of its endangered 
and rare fauna Keeping this in mind, export of all wild animals indigenous to the 
country and articles made from such listed animals like skins, pelts, furs, ivory, 
rhino horns, trophies, etc., have been totally banned. These include all forms of 
wild anima s including their parts and products, except peacock tail feathers and 
handicrafts made from them and those made from articles and shavings of antler, 
cheetals and sambars. The export of exotic birds is also not allowed. 

It also includes wood and wood products including logs, timber, stumps, roots, 
bark, chips, powder, flakes, dust, pulp and charcoal. Also, export of sandalwood 
in any form, excluding finished handicrafts and machine-finished products, is 
prohibited. Export of furs of domestic animals, excluding lamb fur, and hides and 
skins including cutting and neshing of hides and skins for use as raw material for 
the manufacture of gelatin; raw hides and skins of all types (excluding lamb fur skin), 
all forms of semi-processed hides and skins (including tanned and wet blue hides, 
skins and crust leather), clothing, leather, fun, suede/hair, hair-on-suede/shearing 
suede leathers and fur leathers, is also not permitted. Tourists are also advised to 
acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade 
of endangered species of wild fauna and flora. 

All the member countries of the Convention allow the import of articles covered 
by the convention on the strength of a certificate of export from the county of 
origin.

For further information contact the following authorities:

Madras: 
Regional Deputy Director
Wildlife Preservation, Southern Region
2/C/5, Brownstone Apartments
Mahalingapuram, Madras-600034 
Telephone: 8253977.