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How to Pass through Customs Clearance
November 11, 2012
Every passenger entering or leaving the Indian borders has to pass through Customs check. The individual must fill up the Disembarkation Card in which the quantity and value of goods that he has brought are clearly mentioned. On the arrival, the passenger is first cleared by an Immigration Officer who retains the Immigration portion of the Disembarkation Card. Thereafter the passenger takes the delivery of his baggage from conveyer belts & passes through Customs. Like all other International Airports, the passenger has the option of seeking clearance through a Green Channel or through a Red Channel subject to the nature of goods being carried.
For the purpose of Customs clearance of arriving passengers, a two-channel system has been adopted:
(i) A Green Channel for passengers not having any dutiable goods.
(ii) A Red Channel for passengers having dutiable goods.
However,
(i) | All the passengers shall ensure to file correct declaration of their baggage. | |
(ii) | Green channel passengers must deposit the customs portion of the disembarkation card to the custom official at the gate before leaving the terminal. | |
(iii) | Declaration of foreign exchange/currency has be made before the custom officers in the following cases : | |
| (a) | where the value of foreign currency notes exceed US $ 5000 or equivalent |
| (b) | where the aggregate value of foreign exchange including currency exceeds US $ 10,000 or equivalent |
Note: 1. Passengers walking through the Green Channel with dutiable/prohibited goods are liable to prosecution/penalty and confiscation of goods.
2. Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic substances is a serious offence and is punishable with imprisonment.
A resident means a person holding a valid passport issued under the Passports Act, 1967 and normally residing in India.
Other articles carried in person or in accompanied baggage valued up to Rs.25,000 (for individuals above ten years old) and Rs 6,000 (for those below ten years old) having stayed abroad for more than three days
If stayed abroad up to three days and carrying articles valued up to Rs. 12,000 (above ten years old) and Rs. 3000(below ten years old), the custom duties are liable.
Note: Personal articles that are required for daily use cannot be liable to custom duty and is free.
However, a free allowance is not applicable to the following goods:
1. Fire arms.
2. Cartridges of fire arms exceeding 50.
3. Cigarettes exceeding 200 or cigars exceeding 50 or tobacco exceeding 250 gms.
4. Alcoholic liquor or wines in excess of 2 litres.
5. Gold or silver, in any form, other than ornaments.
· One laptop computer (notebook computer) over and above the said free allowances mentioned above is also allowed duty free if imported by any passenger of the age of 18 years and above
· The goods over and above the free allowances shall be chargeable to customs duty @ 35% + an education cess of 3%
· Alcoholic drinks and tobacco products imported in excess of free allowance are chargeable to custom duty at the rates applicable to their commercial imports as per the Customs Tariff Act.
· Import of Indian currency is prohibited. However, in the case of passengers normally residing in India who are returning from a visit abroad, Indian currency up to Rs. 7500 is allowed.
· In case the value of one item exceeds the duty-free allowance, the duty shall be calculated only on the excess of such amount
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