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Customs & Immigration during transit

Customs, Immigration and Baggage Transfer during Travel through Multiple Airports

A. Passengers connecting from international to domestic or domestic to international flights via international airports

A1. International to Domestic

Pointers for passengers transferring from international to domestic flights via an intermediate airport:

  • Customs and immigration checks must be completed by all passengers at the first port (city) of international arrival. 
  • This must be done before taking an onward domestic flight. 
  • Passengers are requested to collect their baggage, clear customs and drop the same at check-in or transfer counter of the related airline for onward domestic flights.  

For example: 

  • Passenger holding a single international to domestic e-ticket for Delhi-Melbourne-Sydney, where Delhi-Melbourne is an international sector and Melbourne-Sydney is a domestic sector.
  • Arrival immigration check in Australia to be completed in Melbourne, which is the first port (city) of international arrival.

Disclaimer: Passengers must collect their baggage at Melbourne (arrivals) prior to proceeding for connecting flight to Sydney.

  • Custom check-in at Australia must be completed in Melbourne, which is the first port (city) of international arrival.
  • Proceed to the related airline’s counter or transfer desk at domestic terminal for check-in procedure of onward domestic flight.

A2. Domestic to International

As per defined norms, passengers transferring from domestic to international flights (via an intermediate airport) must:

  • Complete their immigration checks at the last port (city) of international departure before the onward international flight. 
  • Baggage would be directly transferred by our staff to the next flight (in case of domestic to international transfer) if a passenger holds a single e-ticket for the entire journey.

For example:

  • A passenger holds a single e-ticket for Sydney-Melbourne-Delhi, which is a domestic to international sector, where Sydney-Melbourne is a domestic sector and Melbourne-Delhi is an international sector.
  • When they arrive in Melbourne, baggage will be directly transferred by the airline staff to the next flight (in this case of a domestic to international transfer).
  • The passenger can then proceed to the international terminal and Air India’s counter or transfer desk for the check-in procedure on the onward international flight.
  • The immigration clearance in Australia shall be completed in Melbourne, which is the last port (city) of international departure.

B. Passengers connecting from international to domestic or domestic to international flights via Indian gateway airports

B1. International to Domestic

As defined by the norms, for passengers transferring from international to domestic flights (via Indian gateway airport): 

  • Customs and immigration check must be completed at the first port (city) of arrival in India before taking the onward domestic flight.
  • Passengers are also requested to collect their baggage, clear customs and drop the same at Air India’s domestic check-in or transfer counter for onward domestic flight.

For example:

  • A passenger holds a single e-ticket for Abu Dhabi-Delhi-Chandigarh. The route is an international to domestic sector, where Abu Dhabi-Delhi is an international sector and Delhi-Chandigarh is a domestic sector.
  • The arrival immigration check in India shall be completed in Delhi, which is the first port (city) of arrival in India.
  • Disclaimer: Passengers to collect their baggage at Delhi (arrivals) prior to proceeding for connecting flight to Chandigarh.
  • Customs’ check in India shall be completed in Delhi, which is the first port (city) of arrival in India.
  • Post customs check, passengers are requested to handover their baggage to Air India’s staff at check-in counters or transfer desk (located post customs check points in arrival area) and then proceed to domestic departure security checks.

B2. Domestic to International

As per norms, for passengers transferring from domestic to international flights (via Indian gateway airport):

  • Immigration check is required to be completed at the last port (city) of departure from India (before taking the onward international flight). 
  • Baggage would be directly transferred by airline staff to the next flight, being a domestic to international transfer if a passenger is holding a single e-ticket for their entire journey.

For example:

  • Passenger holding a single e-ticket for Chandigarh-Delhi-Abu Dhabi (domestic to international sector), where Chandigarh-Delhi is a domestic sector and Delhi-Abu Dhabi is an international sector.
  • Disclaimer: Once they arrive in Delhi, baggage will be directly transferred by the airline staff to the next flight, which is the domestic to international transfer.
  • Passenger proceeds to Air India’s check-in or transfer counter at international terminal for check-in procedure for onward international flight.
  • The departure immigration check in India shall be completed in Delhi, last port (city) of departure in India.
    • Airline staff at the first departure point issues boarding cards for onward sectors and checked-in bags up to final destination.
    • However, passengers are required to complete formalities as above at first port of arrival in India or at last port of departure from India as applicable. 

For any further assistance, please feel free to contact Air India’s contact centre transfer or check-in desk.

C. Passengers transiting through India, arriving from an international origin to an Indian airport; taking onward international flight from Indian airport to a third country without exiting the airport in India

C1. It is relevant to note that if you are holding a single e-ticket for your entire journey, you will be issued boarding cards. Your baggage will be tagged up to the destination. 
C2. You will remain in direct transit at the terminal to proceed directly to the transfer area. This will be done if you hold an onward boarding card and if your baggage is tagged up to the destination. 
C3. Passengers with different bookings or e-tickets for each of the sectors on different airlines cannot be issued a through boarding card. The baggage cannot be transferred through check-in to the destination. 
C4. You are required to possess an Indian visa if you do not hold an onward boarding card and your baggage is not transferred through check-in up to your destination.

D. Passengers transiting through any international station that is arriving from an international origin and taking an onward international flight to a third country without exiting the airport.

D1. It is relevant to note that a boarding card will be issued if the passenger is holding a single e-ticket for your entire journey. The baggage will be tagged up to the destination. 
D2. The passenger may remain in direct transit at the terminal and proceed directly to the transfer area if they hold an onward boarding card and if their baggage is tagged up to the destination. 
D3. Passengers with different bookings or e-tickets for each of the sectors on different airlines cannot be issued a through boarding card. The baggage cannot be transferred through check in to the destination. 
D4. You are required to possess a visa as per the regulation of the transit country if you do not hold an onward boarding card and your baggage is not tagged through checked-in up to your destination.

Note: Passengers are required to present all valid international travel documents as per the regulation of the transit country or destination, as applicable. Please contact Air India’s contact centre, transfer, check-in desk for further assistance.