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-   -   Rupees (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/rupees-689360/)

Mitch04 Mar 19th, 2007 06:00 PM

Rupees
 
Is it OK to take Rupees into India? Or if I am discovered doing so will I be shot the following dawn? :-))) . I did read somewhere, I think, that it was illegal to take rupees in or out of India.... I'm only talking about maybe the equivalent of $100US... The exchange rate here is pretty good, and I arrive very late at night. The Xchange place at the airport is not likely to be as generous as the rate I can gete here in Australia.

rhkkmk Mar 19th, 2007 06:07 PM

shot on the spot not the next day!!

i don't think it would be an issue...how would they know??

Kathie Mar 19th, 2007 06:10 PM

Mitch, I have never seen an exchange rate in another country be as good as the local exchange rate.

Mitch04 Mar 19th, 2007 06:31 PM

Kathie, normally I would agree, but as you know airports are notorious rip-offs. I just want some rupees on my pocket when I arrive at about 11 pm.

TracyB Mar 19th, 2007 07:20 PM

In Canada, u can't get Rupee's (at least not where i live)..But i always save a couple thousand Rupee's when in India and take them home and save them for next trip.

So 3 times i took in Rupee's...and nothing was said...nobody looked in my wallet!!!

rhkkmk Mar 19th, 2007 07:21 PM

they will be knocking at your door tomorrow after reading this tracy

Mitch04 Mar 19th, 2007 07:30 PM

I shall wear a bullet-proof vest.

TracyB Mar 19th, 2007 08:09 PM

I know...i am such a criminal!!!! Hope i'm not on the most wanted list!!!

lcuy Mar 19th, 2007 08:35 PM

I've taken Rupees into and out of India and never got shot.....

BTW, I've often found very good rates on foreign currency in Honolulu. I think they are just happy to get rid of it at close to retail.

featherbrain Mar 24th, 2007 11:29 AM

UK banks are issuing rupees, I got some before my trip as didn't want to be bothering upon arrival in the early hours.

Cicerone Mar 25th, 2007 08:02 PM

The Rupee is not freely convertible, and it IS actually illegal to bring or take Rupees out of India, see
https://igiacustoms.gov.in/c-declaration.htm. I agree that this is strange because you can get Rupees quite easily in many countries. However, only residents of India who are traveling abroad are allowed to bring in or take out currency, and even then only small amounts are allowed (about US$100). I travel to India about once a month, and always have a bit of cash with me, but have never been asked nor searched myself, so I would not have any concerns, unless you are Indian yourself, in which case you might be subject to closer scrutiny. The exchange controls are more to control speculation in the Rupee, not for small amounts of currency which tourists may bring in and out. (I personally also always bypass the x-ray machines in the airport which are for inbound passengers as they are really for Indian nationals returning from abroad, and no one has ever stopped me yet...)

I agree with having a small amount of money with you in case you need it on arrival.


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