Going to India from US to work at a non-profit, Can I bring 10 laptops as a mobile training lab?

If you are working for a non profit organization make sure you fill this form and make sure you comply with the rules mentioned and you have no conflicts with them.They are

The imports by charitable institutions would be required to fulfill the following conditions to be eligible for ad-hoc exemption from customs duty:

(a) The imports should normally be received as donations or gifts from foreign countries. The applicant or exemption under this category should be a registered charitable organization. However, imports required by individuals for treatment or assistance to people who are suffering from life threatening diseases can be considered on case-to-case basis.

(b) Either there should be no payment involved for the imported goods or the payment should be made only out of the amount received as donation within India.

(c) The goods imported should be for use for charitable purposes without any distinction of caste, creed or religion; they should not be in the nature of or tend to promote/propagate any particular religion.

(d) It would be necessary that the institution is engaged in rendering charitable service to the society at large for availment of exemption e.g., running hospitals, educational institutions, etc. The service so rendered by the institution should be “free” or the institution should be running on “no profit no loss” basis. The applicant organization should furnish last 3 years’ audited balance sheet, income and expenditure statement, and the exemption granted by the Income-tax authorities, if any. The activity of the institution should not be commercial in nature.

(e) The charitable nature of the institution, the fact that it is rendering services on ‘free’ or ‘no loss no profit’ basis, it’s should have been in existence for not less than three years, and that it enjoys good reputation which should be certified by any of the following authorities as per the format in Annexure A:

(i) Concerned Secretary of the State Government (or)

(ii) Concerned Joint Secretary of the Central Government (or)

(iii) Jurisdictional Commissioner of Central Excise/Customs

(f) The institution should certify that the goods under import are for their own use and should furnish an undertaking to the effect that they would fulfill the conditions prescribed for availment of exemption.

Also make sure the organization you work for is operational in any state of India for atleast 3 years.

Then take printout of the annexure. Keep the form and your ID with you.

First make sure that you have some kind of proof that you are here to volunteer at a non-profit. If you are arriving at the MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. If you put all the laptops in checked in luggage 99 percent they wont put the bag in screening as they only put the handbags in the machine for screening.

And if by chance they say you to put the Luggage (checked in bag) and then they ask you why are you taking so many laptops with you. Show the Custom Officer some proof which states that you are here to volunteer at a non-profit. I am sure they will allow you just remember to be CALM AND COOPERATIVE. BEST OF LUCK.