What is Railways Luggage Rules
Railway luggage rules are a set of regulations established by the Indian Railways to govern the carriage of luggage on trains. These rules cover a variety of topics, including the following:
- Luggage allowance
- Packing and labeling
- Booking luggage
- Excess luggage
- Lost or damaged luggage
- Luggage theft
Booking and Carriage
- Luggage must be fully and legibly addressed in English or Hindi.
- Luggage must be securely packed. If not, the sender or their authorised agent must sign a forwarding note acknowledging the defects or improper packing.
- Luggage must be presented at the luggage office of the booking station at least 30 minutes before the train's departure time.
- Passengers booking their accommodation in advance can book their luggage at the same time. Bulky luggage weighing over 100 kg or exceeding 1m x 1m x 0.7m is subject to a surcharge.
- Offensive articles, explosives, dangerous goods, inflammable articles, empty gas cylinders, dead poultry, game, acids, and other corrosive substances are not permitted.
Personal Luggage
- The maximum size of personal luggage that can be carried in the passenger compartment is 100cm x 60cm x 25cm.
- In AC-3 Tier and AC Chair Car compartments, the maximum size is 55cm x 45cm x 22.5cm.
- Oxygen cylinders with supporting stands for passengers with medical certificates are permitted in all classes.
- Merchandise items are not permitted as personal luggage.
Brake Van Luggage
- Luggage that exceeds the size or weight restrictions for personal luggage must be carried in the brake van.
- The minimum charge for brake van luggage is Rs. 30.
- There is no restriction on the quantity or type of luggage carried in the brake van.
- Excess luggage beyond the free allowance is charged at 1.5 times the normal rate.
Free Allowance
- Each passenger is entitled to a free allowance for luggage carried in the compartment.
- The free allowance varies for different classes of travel.
- Children aged 5 to 12 years are entitled to half the free allowance, up to a maximum of 50 kg.
- There is also a marginal allowance for all passengers. The maximum limit for luggage carried in the compartment for each class is as follows:
| Class | Free Allowance | Marginal Allowance | Maximum Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC First Class | 70 kg | 15 kg | 150 kg |
| AC 2-Tier Sleeper/First Class | 50 kg | 10 kg | 100 kg |
| AC 3-Tier Sleeper/AC Chair Car | 40 kg | 10 kg | 40 kg |
| Sleeper Class | 40 kg | 10 kg | 80 kg |
| Second Class | 35 kg | 10 kg | 70 kg |
Excess Luggage
- Passengers can book and carry excess luggage beyond the free allowance in the compartment, up to the maximum limit for their class, by paying 1.5 times the luggage rate.
- If a passenger is found with unbooked or partially booked luggage weighing more than the free allowance, they will be charged six times the luggage scale rate for the excess weight. However, if the excess weight is within the marginal allowance, they will be charged 1.5 times the luggage scale rate.
- If a passenger is found with unbooked or partially booked luggage weighing more than the maximum limit, they will be charged six times the luggage scale rate for the excess weight, with a minimum charge of Rs. 50.
- Luggage beyond the above quantity can be booked in advance and carried in the brake van.
Lost or Damaged Luggage
If your luggage is lost or damaged, the railway's liability is limited to Rs. 100 per kg if you have not declared the value of your luggage in advance and paid the percentage charge. If you have declared the value of your luggage and paid the percentage charge, you will be entitled to the claimed amount, up to the value of the luggage you declared.
Theft of Luggage
If your luggage is stolen, you can approach the train conductor, coach attendant, guard, or GRP escort. They will provide you with an FIR form, which you can fill out and hand over to them. The complaint will then be forwarded to the police station for investigation.
Carrying Pets
- Dogs can be carried in the brake van or in AC First Class and First Class compartments. The charge is based on the weight of the dog, with a minimum charge of Rs. 10 per dog. Seeing-eye dogs traveling with a blind person are charged the same rate as dogs carried in the brake van.
- Dogs are not allowed to be carried in AC2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, or Second Class compartments.
- Large dogs that cannot be carried in the dog box of a brake van will be carried in a special vehicle at the same rates and conditions as for horses.
Carrying Other Animals
The liability of the railway as carriers of animals is limited to the amounts specified below, unless the sender elects to pay the percentage charge on value as shown in Rule 1301:
- Elephants: Rs. 1,500
- Horses: Rs. 750
- Mules, camels, or horned cattle: Rs. 200
- Donkeys, sheep, goats, dogs, and other animals or birds: Rs. 30
The sender or their authorised agent must declare the value of each animal on the forwarding note when the value of an animal exceeds the amount specified above.
Theft of Luggage
- If your luggage is stolen, you can approach the train conductor, coach attendant, guard, or GRP escort. They will provide you with an FIR form, which you can fill out and hand over to them. The complaint will then be forwarded to the police station for investigation.
- You can also approach the RPF Assistance Posts at major railway stations for any assistance in lodging the complaint. Please note that you do not need to break your journey to lodge a complaint with the police.
General Information
- Make sure to book your excess luggage in the luggage office and pay the prescribed charges before commencing your journey.
- Free allowance is not admissible for articles such as scooters, cycles, etc. If your luggage marginally exceeds the free allowance, you will be charged at the normal luggage rates applicable to your class of travel.
- If your luggage is detected with unbooked or partially booked luggage, you will be charged the applicable penalties.
- A prescribed FIR form in English, Hindi, and the regional language is available in the timetable or with TTEs, guards, or GRP escorts.
