Search results for: Kerala Customs / Baggage

We rill promptly acknowledge your complaints and within 30 working days of their receipt, provide final replies. If you have a complaint or grievance you may also take up the matter with the Public Grievances Committee headed by the Commissioner and/or the Zonal Grievances Committee headed by the Chief Commissioner.

i) Such person affirms by a declaration that the goods have been in his possession abroad or the goods are purchased from the duty-free shop by such person at the time of his arrival but before clearance from Customs.
ii) Unaccompanied goods were shipped or despatched or arrived within the prescribed time limits.
iii) Only one unit of each item per family is allowed and aggregate value of such goods shall not exceed Rs.5 lakhs.
iv) The person claiming this benefit affirms by declaration that no other member of the family had availed, or would avail this benefit. The term "family" includes all person in the same house and forming part of the same establislmemt.
v) Passenger has not availed this concession in the preceding three years.

(A) Who can import gold as baggage?

a)Any passenger of Indian origin.
b) Any passenger holding a valid passport issued under the Passport Act, 1967.

(B) Conditions

i) The weight of gold (including ornaments) should not exceed 10 kgs. per passenger.
ii) Such passenger is coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad. However, short visits during these six months shall be ignored if the duration on such short.

visits does not exceed 30 days and the passenger has not availed of the exemption under this scheme, at the time of such short visit.

iii) The duty at the applicable rate is paid by the passenger in convertible foreign currency.
iv) Ornaments studded with stones and pearls will not be allowed to be imported under the scheme mentioned above.
(v) The passenger can either bring the gold himself at the time of arrival or import the same within fifteen days of his arrival in India.
(vi) The passenger can also obtain the permitted quantity of gold from Customs bonded warehouse of State Bank of India and Metal and Mineral Trading Corporation subject to conditions (i) and (iii). He is required to file a declaration on the prescribed Form before the Customs Officer at the time of arrival in India stating his intention to obtain the gold from the Customs bonded warehouse and pay the duty before clearance.

A)Who can import silver as baggage?

a) Any passenger of Indian origin.
b) Any passenger holding a valid passport issued under the Passport Act, 1<)67.

B) Conditions
i) The weight of silver (including ornaments) should not exceed the quantity of 100 kgs. per passenger.
ii) Such passenger is coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad. However, short visits during these six months shall be ignored if the duration of such short visit does not exceed 30 days and the passenger has not availed of the exemption under this scheme. at the time of such short visit.
iii) The duty at the rate of Rs.500 per kg. is paid by the passenger in convertible foreign currency.
(iv) Ornaments studded with stones and pearls will not be allowed to be imported under the scheme.
(v) The passenger can either bring the silver himself at the time of arrival or import the same within fifteen days of his arrival in India.
(vi) The passenger can also obtain the permitted quantity of silver from Customs bonded warehouse, of State Bank of India and Metal and Mineral Trading Corporation subject to conditions.

(i) and (iii). He is required to file a declaration on the prescribed Form before the Customs Officer at the time of arrival in India stating his intention to obtain the silver from the Customs bonded warehouse and pay the duty before clearance.

The jewellery, which is in addition to the jewellery otherwise allowed without payment of duty, only is liable to payment of duty under the above-mentioned scheme for import of gold.

For the purpose of Transfer of Residence Rules, short visits if any, made by the passenger to India during the aforesaid period of two years are ignored if the total duration of stay on these visits does not exceed six months; and on sufficient cause being shown by you, the Commissioner of Customs can condone the period of stay in India in excess of six months.

For the purpose of Transfer of Residence Rules, shortfall upto a period of two months in your stay abroad may be condoned by the Assistant Commissioner of Customs, if he is satisfied that your early return to India has been caused by your availing of the terminal leave or a vacation or by any other special circumstances.

There is no scope for condoning any shortfall in stay abroad beyond a period of two months.

The articles of baggage which you were using abroad and which you could not bring with you, can be brought after your arrival. You can clear this baggage at any of the international airports, Customs ports, land Customs stations and Inland Container Depots.

I. If you are sending your unaccompanied baggage, ensure that you make arrangements to despatch it to India within one month of your arrival in India. The limit can be extended by the assistant Commissioner on being satisfied that the goods could not be shipped within the aforesaid period inspite of the passenger having taken all steps for the purpose.
2. If you want to send your baggage before your arrival in India, ensure that it lands within two months prior to your arrival. The time-limit of two months can be extended to not more than one year by the Assistant Commissioner ifhe is satisfied that the passenger was prevented from arriving in India within the period of two months due to circumstances beyond his control such as the sudden illness of the passenger or a member of the family, natural calamity .or disturbed conditions or disruption in transport or travel arrangements in the country concerned or any other reason, which necessitated a change in the travel schedule o£ the passenger.

These rules are not applicable to Tourists of Nepalese and Bhutanese origin coming from these countries.

A tourist is a passenger
a) who is not normally a resident in India
b) who enters India for a stay of not more than six months.
in the course of any twelve months period for legitimate non-immigrant purposes, such as :

Personal Effects
All your personal effects like clothing and other articles new or used which you reasonably require, excluding merchandise for commercial purposes will be allowed free of duty. Personal effects which are not consumed during your stay in India are required to be taken back on leaving the country.

Gifts
A tourist of foreign origin visiting India can bring articles up to a value of Rs.8,OOO/- (Rs.25,OOO/- for tourists of Indian origin) free of duty, which are intended as gifts, or even for his personal use. Tourists of Pakistani origin or foreign tourists coming from Pakistan or tourists of Indian origin coming from Pakistan by land route can bring articles upto a value of Rs.6000/- for making gifts.

Cigarettes, Cigars, Tobacco, Alcoholic Liquors.
Tourists, whether of foreign or Indian origin, are allowed the following items duty-free but within the free allowance:
(a) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gms. of tobacco;
(b) Alcoholic liquor & wine upto two litres.

Tourists of Indian origin can also import items of personal and household effects for presentation as gifts and souvenirs to friends and such articles which are in excess of the free allowance or which cannot be cleared under free allowance can be cleared on payment of duty. The details of rates of duty etc. can be seen at page 6 (clearance on payment of duty) of Baggage Rules for Passengers (Other than Tourists).

Import Or Export of Indian currency notes (not coins) up to a maximum amount of Rs.5000/- is allowed to an Indian resident passenger.
Declaration of Foreign Exchange/Currency is required to be made before the Custom Officer in the following cases. i) Where the value of Foreign Currency notes exceeds U.S. $ 5000/- or equivalent.
ii) Where the aggregate value of Foreign Exchange including
(i) above exceeds U.S. $ 10,000/- or its equivalent.

There are two channels for Customs c1earance
i) Green Channel for passengers not having any dutiable goods
ii) Red Channel for passengers having dutiable goods You are advised to report at the appropriate channel for Customs clearance.

In case your baggage has been lost or mishandled by the airlines, please obtain a certificate to that effect from the airlines and get it countersigned by Customs indicating specifically the unutilised portion of the free allowance.

Non-declaration, misdeclaration and concealment of imported goods is an offence under the Customs Act which may result in confiscation, fine, penalty and even prosecution.

The information in this booklet is valid as on 17.03.2004. However, for exact and detailed information, please
check up with the nearest Custom House (see list below) or if you live abroad, with the Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate, for any changes.