r2i forum

I am a life-long resident in and citizen of the USA.
My wife of 3+ years is Indian and r2i'ed last year. She now resides in Bombay.
We have been planning to relocate to India.
I am a published scientist in biogeochemistry (I did my graduate work at UC Berkeley in soil physics and atmospheric chemistry).
I am also an accomplished builder (mostly homes but some commercial buildings as well) who is well-versed in all the building trades (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, tile, etc)
These endeavours necessitate that I keep and maintain an extensive set of tools and instruments?valued in excess of $12,000 USD.
So far, all the posts I have seen regarding TR tariff exemptions have focused on entertainment electronics.
Can anyone advise us regarding bringing in my professional tool set duty-free?
What is the depreciation scheme used currently?
Please note: these are not machine tools. Many of them are mundane hand tools. Some of them are hand-held detection instruments.
I have owned them for more than 7 years.
The tools were in storage in the USA at a commercial facility during my 2 stints in India.
NONE of them will be sold once we arrive.

MY CHRONOLOGY PERTINENT TO TRANSFER OF RESIDENCE AND PIO STATUS
I traveled to India for the first time near the end of March 2010.
I lived in India with my wife for just under 6 months. (I was on a tourist visa.)
We went to Nepal for 1 month.
We returned to India for just under 6 more months, also on a tourist visa.
I returned to the USA on 20 April 2011 having never spent more than 180 consecutive days in India.
Shortly after I returned to the USA, I obtained my PIO card via the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on 23 May 2011.
Based on the above information, is it likely that we qualify for the Transfer of Residence tariff exemptions?
TR status is a must if I am to relocate my tools and instruments.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

http://www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cs-act/formatted-htmls/cs-rulef.htm
does talk about professional equipment but it is a small amount compared to what you are talking about.
(a) Indian passenger returning after at least 3 months.
(ii) Professional equipment upto a value of Rs. 20,000.

(b) Indian passenger returning after at least 6 months.
(ii) Professional equipment upto a value of Rs. 40,000.


(c) Indian passenger returning after a stay of minimum 365 days during the preceding 2 years on termination of his work, and who has not availed this concession in the preceding three years.
(i) Used household articles and personal effects, (which have been in the possession and use abroad of the passenger or his family for at least six months), and which are not mentioned in Annex I, Annexure II or Annexure III upto an aggregate value of Rs.75,000.

Count your days spent in India over last two years.

Best person to ask these questions is Sh. Adarsh Dattani of Universal Relocations. He is a sponsor of this forum and very knowledgable and helpful in answering such questions.

Hi GoingtoGoa,

Based on information provided, it appears that it would be possible to get TR benefits. Please contact me for more details as I would need additional information in order to provide more accurate advice.

Regards

Yogesh

GoingtoGoa;406308I am a life-long resident in and citizen of the USA.
My wife of 3+ years is Indian and r2i'ed last year. She now resides in Bombay.
We have been planning to relocate to India.
I am a published scientist in biogeochemistry (I did my graduate work at UC Berkeley in soil physics and atmospheric chemistry).
I am also an accomplished builder (mostly homes but some commercial buildings as well) who is well-versed in all the building trades (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, tile, etc)
These endeavours necessitate that I keep and maintain an extensive set of tools and instruments—valued in excess of $12,000 USD.
So far, all the posts I have seen regarding TR tariff exemptions have focused on entertainment electronics.
Can anyone advise us regarding bringing in my professional tool set duty-free?
What is the depreciation scheme used currently?
Please note: these are not machine tools. Many of them are mundane hand tools. Some of them are hand-held detection instruments.
I have owned them for more than 7 years.
The tools were in storage in the USA at a commercial facility during my 2 stints in India.
NONE of them will be sold once we arrive.

MY CHRONOLOGY PERTINENT TO TRANSFER OF RESIDENCE AND PIO STATUS
I traveled to India for the first time near the end of March 2010.
I lived in India with my wife for just under 6 months. (I was on a tourist visa.)
We went to Nepal for 1 month.
We returned to India for just under 6 more months, also on a tourist visa.
I returned to the USA on 20 April 2011 having never spent more than 180 consecutive days in India.
Shortly after I returned to the USA, I obtained my PIO card via the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on 23 May 2011.
Based on the above information, is it likely that we qualify for the Transfer of Residence tariff exemptions?
TR status is a must if I am to relocate my tools and instruments.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.