You won’t have time for a shopping trip, and you don’t need one. A few well-chosen things, picked up along your route, say more about Mumbai than an airport gift shop.
What travels well
- Tea. Loose-leaf Assam or Darjeeling, or a masala chai blend, in a sealed pack.
- Whole spices. Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and saffron are light and keep well. Buy them sealed.
- Textiles. Block-printed cotton, a light scarf or a cotton kurta fold flat into any bag.
- Books and prints. Old maps of Bombay, poster reprints and design books.
- Small crafts. Brass, wooden toys and hand-painted boxes.
Where to look on a layover
- Colaba Causeway for clothes, scarves and small gifts, a short walk from the Gateway.
- Crawford Market for spices, dry fruit and tea, in a Victorian market hall.
- Kala Ghoda for design shops, galleries and bookshops.
- Chor Bazaar for old posters, clocks and curiosities. Haggle kindly.
- Museum shops, such as the one at CSMVS, for prints and books.
Near the airport and short on time? The departures area at Terminal 2 has shops and duty-free after security.
Getting it through security
Anything you buy in the city goes through airport security with you.
- Liquids in your cabin bag follow the usual international limits: small containers in a clear bag. Sauces, pastes and sweets in syrup count as liquids.
- Oily foods such as pickles and ghee are often flagged at security, and some airlines and routes don’t allow them at all. Check with your airline, or buy sealed, packaged versions for your checked bag.
- Dried coconut (copra) is not allowed in cabin or checked bags on flights from India, because it can catch fire.
- Fireworks, party poppers, matches and camphor, all common around festivals, aren’t allowed in checked bags. Check your airline’s list before packing a lighter.
Customs at home
Your destination has its own rules. Some countries, including Australia and New Zealand, are strict about seeds, spices, dairy and anything made of wood or plant material. Check your home country’s import rules before you buy food or natural materials, and declare them if you’re asked.
A word on antiques
India restricts the export of antiquities: objects more than 100 years old cannot leave the country without official permission. Most things in the markets are old-looking rather than old, which is fine; just be wary of anything sold as a genuine antique, and of the price that comes with the story.
Quick answers
What can I buy in Mumbai on a short layover?
Tea, whole spices, block-printed textiles, books and small crafts all travel well. Colaba Causeway, Crawford Market and the Kala Ghoda area are easy to reach on most routes.
Can I take pickles or ghee on a flight from Mumbai?
They are often flagged at security as oily foods, and some airlines and routes don’t allow them. Check with your airline, keep them out of your cabin bag, and choose sealed, packaged versions.
Can I take dried coconut on a plane from India?
No. Dried coconut (copra) is prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage on flights from India because it is a fire risk.
Can I take antiques out of India?
Objects more than 100 years old count as antiquities and cannot be exported without official permission. Be wary of anything sold as a genuine antique.