OFFENCES AND PENALTIESCentral

Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011

(1)No person shall bring by sea or by land or by air into India of any piece of metal to be used as coin except with the authority or permission of the Government.
(2)Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine.

Summary

The only exception is when a person has the official authority or permission of the Central Government.
Anyone who violates this prohibition is subject to criminal prosecution under this Act.
The penalty for importing such metal pieces without authority is imprisonment for a term that may extend to seven years, along with a fine.

Practical examples

1On December 4, 2024, Vikram landed at Mumbai Airport on a flight from Dubai. Customs officers searched his luggage and found three heavy crates filled with zinc alloy discs sized to look like 10-rupee coins, which he admitted he brought to use as coins. Since Vikram did not have the Central Government's permission to bring them, he was arrested under Section 15 and faced up to seven years in prison.

2On March 20, 2025, a truck driven by Harpreet crossed the border into India, carrying five thousand steel discs designed to mimic Indian coins, with the clear intent to use them as local currency. Harpreet lacked any government permit for this cargo. He was charged under Section 15, exposing him to a seven-year jail sentence and a substantial fine.

FAQ

1. Is government permission required to bring metal pieces for use as coins into the country?

Yes, bringing such metal pieces into India is illegal unless you have the authority or permission of the Central Government.

2. Does the penalty in Section 15 include a fine, or is it just jail time?

The punishment includes both imprisonment (up to seven years) and a fine.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011, which modes of transport are covered under the ban on bringing unauthorized coin-like metal pieces into India?

Q2.Under Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011, what is the maximum prison sentence for unlawfully importing metal pieces to be used as coins?

Q3.Under Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011, whose permission or authority is required to legally bring metal pieces for use as coins into India?

Q4.Under Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011, what financial penalty accompanies the prison sentence for unlawful import of coin-like metal pieces?

Q5.Under Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011, what is the specific intended purpose of the imported metal pieces that triggers this offence?

Q6.Under Section 15 of The Coinage Act, 2011, can an importer escape punishment if they imported the metal pieces by land instead of by sea?

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