Stemming rupee fall: Govt bans duty free TV imports by air travellers from August 26

NEW DELHI: The government today banned duty- free import of flat screen television by air travellers in a bid to prop up rupee, which declined below the 63 level against US dollar.

The government, according to a notification, has decided to "disallow import of flat panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) television as part of free baggage allowance" with effect from August 26.

Air travellers currently can bring a flat screen television for personal use without paying any duty.

This would mean air travellers bring in TV as part of the baggage from August 26 would have to pay customs duty.

In a order to contain the Current Account Deficit (CAD) and arrest declining value of rupee, the government has raised duty on gold, platinum and silver to 10 per cent.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said that steps would be taken to compress import of non-essential goods.

The value of rupee touched all-time low of 63.30 to a dollar in the afternoon trade.