Duty free shops to also display price of goods in rupee

New Delhi: Revenue department on Wednesday asked duty free shops at airports to display prices of goods in Indian currency as well as the exchange rate.

CBEC had received representations from travellers that duty free shops neither display prices in rupees or India made goods, which depreciates the visibility of domestically manufactured products and domestic currency.

In line with a RBI notification, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said passengers will be permitted to purchase goods at duty free shops in Indian rupees up to Rs 25,000.

"Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs may advise the duty free shop operators of the revised permitted limits for purchase of goods in Indian currency at duty free shops.

"... The display of prices of goods by DFSs in Indian Rupees should also be complied with at the earliest," the CBEC said through a circular.

Further, information relating to the use of rupee at duty free shops should be displayed at all DFSs.

"It may be ensured that DFSs display the rate of exchange as published by the commercial banks for conversion of foreign currency or the rate of exchange notified by the CBEC on a fortnightly basis for import and export of goods," the CBEC said.

Similarly, websites of DFS/Airports must be kept accurately updated with regard to the facility and limit in use of Indian currency for making purchases, it added.

The senior CBEC functionaries have also been asked to ensure that duty free shop operators are "familiarised" with the procedures for procuring excisable goods, duty free, from factories as per the procedure.