An Indian man staged a sit-in protest at Kochi’s Nedumbassery airport after customs officials reportedly seized an iPhone 18 Pro he had bought in Dubai following a dispute over import duty.
He questioned how travellers could bring expensive iPhones into India if devices above that value attracted duty. (Also read: Dubai man brings collection of 53 old iPhones to Apple Store while picking up 2 new foldable phones ) Ajas Mohammed, founder of learning platform Eduport, said the phone was for personal use and questioned why he had to pay customs charges, according to a Khaleej Times report published on October 25. Ajas alleged that customs personnel cited a ₹ 75,000 duty-free limit. Under India’s Baggage Rules, 2026 , which took effect on February 2, eligible travellers can bring goods worth up to ₹ 75,000 duty-free, subject to conditions. Allowances vary by passenger category. (Also read: Dubai jeweller creates 16.5 kg gold jhumkas, breaks two Guinness World Records ) Official customs guidance defines personal effects as “all articles, whether new or used, which a passenger may reasonably require for personal use during the journey, taking into account the circumstances of travel, but excluding goods imported or exported for commercial purposes.
Nedumbassery police registered a case against him for allegedly “interfering with the duty of customs officers”, Khaleej Times reported. Customs officials rejected his argument that the device was for personal use, according to Gulf News . They said exemptions applied to phones already used by their owners for some time. Officials also said Ajas carried another iPhone, while the new handset was unregistered. However, it specifies that “only used personal effects required for satisfying daily necessities of life are allowed duty free without limit”.
When he refused to pay, the iPhone was seized, he claimed. He also alleged that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel forcibly removed him. He told reporters that other passengers carrying iPhone Pro models had paid between ₹ 20,000 and ₹ 30,000 in customs charges.
Because he was already carrying another phone, ajas alleged that officials demanded duty.
He insisted he would not “give even one rupee unjustly”. Ajas said he would remain peacefully at the airport until the handset was returned.
