Influx of the Commuters to a Country are regulated by Customs Authorities of any country. Clearance of international passengers and their baggage by Customs Authorities is dictated by a set of govt guidelines, mostly known as Customs’ Baggage Rules. Being Ignorant of these Rules could put you into an embarrassing situation if not in difficult.
As an International traveller, Indian Customs’ Baggage Rules should basically concern a couple of things for you; for instance: 1. What you can bring and what not 2. The limit of what you can bring 3. The duty beyond the permissible limit 4. Actions in case of your ineligible possession 5. What if you are not sure about an item, you are carrying.
These Baggage Rules lay down free allowances, restrictions, duty rates and actions for violators. Latest Baggage Rules of India Customs, cover the commuters of all genre, be it common passengers, tourists, professionals, travellers on residence transfer and so on.
While, reading the official Baggage Rules and extracting the stuff for yourself could be a bit overwhelming, I have designed a Mini Customs Guide for Travellers to India for you. So here it goes:
[Gist] Mini Customs Baggage Guide for Travellers to India for a Hassle-free Clearance
[..Part of a long illustrative Guide] If you are short of time, just reading this 12 — point ‘Mini Customs Guide to Baggage Clearance’ would suffice addressing your concerns:
Guiding Point 1. Customs’ intention to scan your baggage, frisking you and sometimes subjecting to personal search has to do with their job profile and they are empowered by law to do so. If you are one of the passengers chosen for frisking/examination/ questioning, rest assured, you will be treated in a courteous, professional and dignified manner.
Guiding Point 2. Customs wants to ascertain whether or not, the goods that you are bringing into India is subject to Customs duty or fall into restricted / prohibited category.
Guiding Point 3. If you are returning India within less than 6 months, carrying precious jewellery/watches/accessories, carrying any item in commercial quantity, carrying crude gold or carrying anything that you feel could be restricted or prohibited; its’ time to check with the Customs official at Red Channel.
Guiding Point 4. Even in case of any confusion about the nature of your belongings, you must walk up to the Red channel of Customs for declaring the stuff. If it doesn’t warrant a declaration, you will get your doubts cleared by the official attending red channel and you may be asked to take up the green channel.
Guiding Point 5. Opting for Green channel on your own, implies that you are sure about the nature and quantity of your belongings. And, that you have made sure that your goods do not attract duty neither they fall under restricted /prohibited category.
Guiding Point 6. Ignorance of law doesn’t immune you from the legal consequences. Considerate view may be taken at times but why to take a lax approach. It always pays off in getting yourself informed and equipped with basics of the Rules.
Guiding Point 7. Be informed that the passengers walking through the Green Channel with dutiable/ prohibited goods are liable to prosecution/ penalty and confiscation of goods. Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic substances is a serious offence and is punishable with imprisonment too.
Guiding Point 8. Much like Income Tax slabs, there are exemption slabs ON value of goods brought in your bona-fide baggage. Beyond the permissible limit, the goods are subject to duty. Customs officials are responsible for preventing duty drainage and protecting the nation against the illegal import of prohibited items.
Guiding Point 9. Get to know your free Allowance limits (Indian Customs Duty-free allowances, you will get trough the link at the bottom).
Guiding Point 10. The world is heading towards a more transparent and law-abiding civilization. In the era of Internet 2.0 and blockchains, we are fast growing as a trust-less ecosystem of interactions wherein, you do not need to act on the basis of someone’s trust and belief and instead, you could ask for verifiable proofs.
Guiding Point 11. Actions taken by Customs officials have nothing to do with biases as you might sometimes think of. Reason being, they are public servant and staying above board helps them in their career progression too. Yet, if you feel any injustice met to you, action by the Customs officials can be challenged under constitutional mechanism. For any assistance, you can approach Customs PRO.