TMI BlogSubject:-Import of goods in commercial quantity as baggage - Procedure for acceptance of Oral Declaration of passengers- RegardingX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... fficers on duty and chances of commercial quantities getting cleared as part of baggage by declaration/non-declaration without or with the concurrence of lower staff on duty cannot be ruled out. It is also reported that in some cases, the involved person(s) are frequent short visit passengers and repeat offenders. The fines and penalties imposed in adjudication proceedings are apparently not sufficient as these have not deterred the unscrupulous passengers from bringing goods in commercial quantities repeatedly. 2. Board has taken serious note of such incidents. It appears instructions issued already are not being enforced by Commissioners in-charge of International Airports and supervisory officers are not showing the diligence and watch ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the Disembarkation Card without first making the passenger fill up the relevant entries. It may be ensured that every passenger reporting at Red Channel fill up a Disembarkation Card clearly mentioning therein the quantity and value of goods that he has brought, and hand over the Customs portion of the card to the officer on duty at the red Channel. In case the same is incomplete/not filled up, the proper Customs officer should help record the O.D of the passenger on the Disembarkation Card and only thereafter should countersign/stamp the same, after taking the passenger's signature. b. At this stage, the Baggage officer must scrutinize the passport and other relevant travel documents to identify the short-visit passengers/frequent trave ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ccount of legal lacuna. e. For the passengers walking through the Green Channel, the existing practice of collecting Disembarkation Card, containing the written declaration of the passenger about his baggage, at the Channel may continue 5. In offence cases viz. for misdeclaration or non-declaration, the aforesaid guidelines may be applied, in addition to any other guidelines/existing provision(s) of Law. 6. The Commissioner/Addl. Commissioner incharge of the Airport shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of the aforesaid instructions. The supervisory controls and surprise visits by senior officers must be stepped up and Asstt. Commissioner/Dy. Commissioner on duty remain ever vigilant to check against any abuse by uns ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... commercial quantity in excess of the permitted weight allowed by the Airlines (Generally 20 Kgs). It has been suggested that the Import Manifest (Aircraft) Regulation, 1976 should prescribe a separate passenger manifest form containing the details of all those baggage that are in excess of the permitted weight/free allowance. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the proper officer, say DC shift, be empowered to seek these details from the airlines so that there is accountability based checks of all passengers coming from any sensitive destination. However, before considering these amendments the Board has desired your considered views in the matter. ---------------------------------------------------------------- NTBT ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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