Delhi Airport T3 Transfer: Baggage & Customs Guide

Connecting from an international flight to an Indian domestic flight at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) Terminal 3 is one of the most common transit routes for diaspora travellers. Yet it remains a frequent source of confusion: do your bags transfer automatically, or do you have to pick them up and re-check them?

The 5-step international-to-domestic transfer process at T3

1. 01
   1. Clear Immigration at T3

   Follow signs for Transfer / Domestic Connections or Arrivals. Proceed through passport control. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, Indian passport holders and foreign nationals with e-visas use designated queues.

2. 02
   2. Collect all checked bags at the carousel

   Even if your baggage tag says your final destination (e.g. Lucknow, Amritsar or Hyderabad), Indian regulations require all international passengers to physically claim their luggage at the T3 international baggage carousels.

3. 03
   3. Clear Indian Customs

   With your luggage in hand, pass through the Customs area. If you have nothing to declare within statutory allowances, proceed through the Green Channel. Have your passport and boarding pass accessible.

4. 04
   4. Drop bags at the Domestic Transfer Desk

   Immediately after exiting customs, do not exit into the public arrival hall. Look for the airline transfer area (Air India and partner airlines have dedicated transfer desks and baggage belts right after customs). Staff will scan your bag tags and place them onto the domestic sorting belt.

5. 05
   5. Clear Domestic Security and head to your gate

   Take the transfer escalators up to the Domestic Departures pier within T3, pass through CISF security screening, and check the flight display screens for your domestic boarding gate.

Why bags cannot be through-checked past the first port of entry

India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs requires duty assessment and inspection at the traveller's first port of entry into the country. Because your first touchdown on Indian soil is Delhi, customs inspection must occur there before your goods enter the domestic aviation network.

Transferring between T3, T2, and T1

All Air India international and domestic flights operate out of Terminal 3, making connections relatively straightforward within the same building. However, if your domestic connecting flight is operated by IndiGo or SpiceJet, check your departure terminal carefully.

• Terminal 3 (T3): Air India, Air India Express, and international carriers operate here.
• Terminal 2 (T2): Walking distance (5–7 minutes via covered walkway) from T3, primarily housing select domestic flights.
• Terminal 1 (T1): Located approximately 8 km away from T3. Requires taking an airport shuttle bus or taxi (allow 20–30 minutes transfer time).

How much layover time do you realistically need?

Because you must pass immigration, wait for carousel baggage delivery, clear customs, re-drop luggage, and clear domestic security, a connection under 2 hours is very high risk. We recommend a minimum connection window of 2.5 to 3 hours for T3-to-T3 transfers, and 3.5 to 4 hours if transferring to T1.

What this customs rule means for skip-leg passengers

Some travellers wonder whether the mandatory baggage collection at customs makes it possible to skiplag with checked bags. The short answer is no. While you physically handle your bag at the carousel, its tag is printed with your onward flight number and destination airport. If you do not re-drop the bag and instead walk out through the exit, your absence at domestic boarding triggers a security reconciliation alert.

• Read our detailed guide to baggage rules on India flights
• Can you skiplag on Air India? Rules and risks explained
• London to Delhi direct flight timetable and fare guide

Your booking is confirmed only after your airline PNR and e-ticket have been issued.

Delhi Airport T3 transfer FAQ