Jul, 11 2025
People have done some pretty wild things for a good deal. Dragging a gigantic 65-inch flat-screen TV from a Black Friday sale in Dallas all the way to Delhi is definitely up there. And yes, anyone who’s scanned Indian electronics prices knows the lure—a newly launched brand-name TV can cost twice as much in India as it does in the States. But before you imagine strutting into the arrivals lounge, clutching a mammoth TV box like you’re on a game show, let’s get into what it really means to carry such a beast from the USA to India. Trust me, this isn’t just about buying a TV. It’s a long-haul show involving customs, airlines, cargo, airport security, relatives wondering if you’ve lost your mind, and maybe pleading with a TSA agent or two.
Customs Rules and Import Duty for TVs in India
Picture this: you roll your shiny 65-inch TV off the conveyor belt at Mumbai airport. Feels great, right? But there are rules and fees waiting for you, and they’re not small. Indian customs doesn’t exactly give you a hero’s welcome for hauling luxury gadgets. Here’s how it plays out: Any TV you import, even for personal use, is subject to customs duties. And they’re hefty—the government isn’t shy about taking a cut. As of July 2025, the basic customs duty on flat-panel TVs (including LED, LCD, and OLED) is usually around 35%. That’s not where it ends. There’s a 10% social welfare surcharge slapped on top of the duty. But wait, there’s also the Integrated GST (IGST), which is 18% on top of the cost of the TV plus the import duty.
Let’s use some real numbers. Suppose your 65-inch TV cost $700 (lucky you, that’s quite a deal). If we convert that to INR at, say, ₹84 per dollar (currency rates bounce around), that’s about ₹58,800. Here’s what you’re looking at for duties (roughly):
- Basic Customs Duty (35%): ₹20,580
- Social Welfare Surcharge (10% of 20,580): ₹2,058
- Subtotal: ₹22,638
- IGST (18% of ₹58,800 + ₹22,638): about ₹14,676
Total customs charges? Nearly ₹37,314—so the ‘cheap’ American TV could wind up costing just about as much as one in India. And you still have to lug it home from the airport.
The customs officer will ask you to produce the original invoice and probably grill you on whether that price is real or ‘made up for discount’ purposes. If you can’t show a reasonable invoice, customs will use their own schedule of values. You don’t want that—they often list prices higher than you paid. There’s no exemption quota for TVs, even if you haven’t used your duty-free baggage allowance.
Another fun fact: if you leave your TV with relatives at customs, they don’t store it for you like a lost puppy. TV gets impounded. A painful reality check for people who don’t bring the right cash or cards for the fee.
Airline Baggage Rules and Risks When Flying With a 65 Inch TV
Now, let’s talk airlines. Most major US airlines that connect to India (Air India, United, Emirates, Qatar, etc.) all have their own set of limits. The thing is, a 65-inch TV is massive—sometimes hilariously so next to normal checked luggage. These TVs usually come in a box that’s about 63 inches long, 40 inches tall, and 8-10 inches thick, and a packed box can weigh close to 35-45 kg (75-100 lbs). See the problem?
Check your airline’s maximum piece dimensions before you even book your ticket. Many airlines officially allow up to 158cm or 62 linear inches (that’s length + width + height). A 65-inch TV box blows past that, clocking in at about 111-115 inches. Oversize? Definitely. Will some airline staff let it slide for an extra fee? Maybe. Others will shake their heads and say “not allowed.”
Here’s what flyers face in practice:
- Most airlines treat large TVs as special baggage and charge oversize and/or overweight baggage fees, which can range from $200 to $400—one way.
- If the TV is too massive for their cargo holds, airlines can refuse carriage outright. That’s bad news at check-in.
- A few airlines, like Emirates, have been known to accept big TVs from US cities to India routes—but only after prior notice, and the oversize fee applies. Always check with the airline’s customer service first.
- Transit airports can be a surprise. If you change flights at a hub like Doha or Dubai, sometimes ground staff refuse to load oversized boxes even if the first leg was fine.
- TSA and airport security will often ask to inspect the TV box. Sometimes they want to open it—make sure it’s packed well to survive repeated unboxings and re-tapings. This is not the time for weak masking tape.
I’ve seen people tape and wrap their TVs like mummies—bubble wrap, foam corners, makeshift plywood braces, the works. They know that one bad drop or sharp bump can shatter a screen. Shipping insurance is smart, since baggage handlers are famously not gentle.
FYI: If your TV gets damaged in transit, getting compensation from airlines can be next to impossible. Airlines cap liability for checked baggage by weight, not value, and will tell you flat screens are ‘fragile items, carried at owner’s risk.’ This leaves you…well, pretty much on your own. If you absolutely must bring your TV, get third-party insurance and keep every receipt and document.
Should You Ship, Use Air Cargo, or Try Your Luck as Checked Baggage?
You don’t have to drag the thing through the airport, you know. Plenty of folks ship their TVs from the USA to India by air cargo or ocean freight. They usually do it when moving back long term or after a work stint in the US. The shipping game comes with its own drama, but it might actually make more sense for big, fragile electronics.
Option 1: Extra Checked Baggage on Your Flight
We’ve already talked about the headaches—size at check-in, weight limits, and the potential for rough handling. If you go this route, spring for bubble wrap, reinforced corners, and heavy-duty boxes. Confirm with your airline at least a week before you fly. Oversize, overweight fees apply at both ends and can be a shock—save screenshots of their baggage rules for the inevitable counter-argument at check-in.
Option 2: Air Cargo Services
This is like sending your TV as a standalone package on a cargo flight. Big carriers like FedEx, DHL, or specialized international cargo agents in big US cities routinely move TVs to India. They’ll pack, move, and track it—but it’s not cheap. Expect rates from $400 to $700, depending on weight, route, and speed. The advantage? Your TV won’t get manhandled with regular baggage and is usually insured up to a higher amount. You’ll still pay India customs duties before delivery.
Option 3: Sea/Ocean Freight
This is good if you’re shipping a bunch of stuff. It takes several weeks and you have to deal with Indian port authorities and customs clearance. Insurance is a must. Damage and delays—especially with monsoon weather—are genuine risks.
Real talk? If you don’t need the TV urgently, air cargo is probably safer than checking it in. If you have good contacts or a family member in the shipping business, all the better. But factor in every cost—shipping, customs, insurance, packing—before deciding.
Pro Tips, Warnings, and Real-Life Experiences
Is it all worth it? Sometimes—if you score a killer deal, or just can’t get the brand or model you want in India. But no plan survives first contact with airline clerks or customs officials. Here are some priceless lessons, picked up from people who’ve actually tried it (and some who wish they hadn’t):
- Before buying a TV, check if the model has a ‘universal voltage’ rating (AC 110-240V, 50/60Hz). Most US TVs run on 110V, while India uses 220V. Plugging in the wrong voltage zaps your new TV instantly. Carry a step-down transformer if needed, but quality models cost $40+ and add bulk.
- Many US TVs don't support PAL color encoding (India’s standard)—though nearly all modern 4K and smart TVs can handle both NTSC and PAL these days. Netflix, YouTube, and streaming apps don’t care. Regular Indian cable and set-top box signals might not always play nicely.
- Warranty blues: American TVs aren’t covered by Indian service centers. If it breaks, you’re paying for repairs.
- The TV box is almost always flagged for special screening at Indian airports. Get to arrivals early. I once waited nearly three hours for a box to reappear. Kids lost patience. Airport samosas softened the blow.
- Keep your purchase invoice handy. If customs suspects you undervalued the TV to dodge duties, they’ll demand proof or levy the maximum chargeable value.
- If your airline says “Not allowed” for TV size, try calling ahead and asking about cargo. Sometimes they can help book it, especially if you’re a frequent flier.
- Don’t try to stuff other electronics or valuables inside the TV box to save on customs. That’s not only illegal, but if discovered, you’ll endure a world of hassle.
- Check YouTube or Reddit for stories from travelers on your airline/route in the last year. Policies (and staff attitudes) are always changing, and nothing beats first-hand updates.
- Once home, unpack slowly and video the process, just in case you discover a hairline fracture that wasn’t there when you left the US. Insurance companies love video evidence.
- Those oversized flat pack TV boxes barely fit in regular taxis, and auto rickshaws are right out. Tell whoever picks you up from the airport to bring a big SUV, or you’ll be strapping your new TV on the roof in Mumbai traffic.
It all boils down to personal math: Add up the TV price, air cargo or baggage fees, Indian customs duty, and your stress tolerance. Compare that number to the price of a comparable TV in a local Indian store with a proper warranty. Sometimes, you’ll save some money and have a great travel story. Other times, it’s not just the TV that takes a beating—your nerves might, too.
Long story short, yes, you can carry 65 inch TV to India—if you’re willing to jump through the customs hoops, pay steep duties, and gamble with airline policies. Sometimes it’s worth the hassle for that dream home theater. And sometimes, after all the effort, Netflix looks just as good on a 55-incher you picked up down the street. It’s your call. But now, at least, you know what you’re getting yourself into—before you start shopping for the world’s biggest suitcase.