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Visitors are usually required to make an oral baggage declaration of the
baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They also have to obtain
the Currency Declaration Form from the Customs department. They are also
bound to fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the airlines
during the course of the flight.
» Custom Rules
For the smooth passage of the tourists at the
airport check-in counters, two channels have been provided. One is green
channel, meant for passengers not having any of the dutiable articles or
unaccompanied baggage. On the contrary, for passengers with dutiable
articles or unaccompanied baggage or high-value articles (to be entered on
the Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form), the red channel is there at service.
» Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE)
The Dutiable
articles, unaccompanied baggage, or high-value articles carried along with
the passenger must be entered on a Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE).
These articles must be re-exported at the time of departure. A failure to
re-export anything listed on the TBRE becomes a payable duty levied for each
missing item.
» Currencies
Cash, bank notes, and travelers' cheques up to US
$1,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. If the
amount exceeds the given limit then the passenger has to disclose in the
Currency Declaration Form, the amount of foreign currency or travelers'
cheques brought by him at the time of arrival. If done then there are no
restrictions. This will not only enable him to exchange the currency brought
in, but also to take the remaining currency way to home on departure. Any
money in the form of travelers' cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc., in
convertible currencies that tourists wish to convert into Indian currency
should be exchanged only through authorized moneychangers and banks.
» Custom Duties
The following duty-free possessions are
permissible: clothes and jewelry, cameras and up to five rolls of film;
binoculars, a portable musical instrument, a radio or portable tape
recorder, a tent and camping equipment, fishing rod, a pair of skis, two
tennis rackets, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 95 liters of liquor, and gifts
not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20).
There is no limit to carrying items of personal effects for tourists (other
than citizens of Nepalese and Bhutanese origin) coming from their respective
countries. Articles that exceed the duty-free allowance and articles
imported as unaccompanied baggage can be cleared on payment of duty at the
rate of 61.2% ad valorem. However, cigarettes exceeding 200, cigars
exceeding 50, tobacco exceeding 250 g, and alcoholic liquor and wine in
excess of one liter each will attract higher duty. Separate rates of duty
have been fixed for gold and silver.
» Things to Remember
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Please jot down the correct declaration of your baggage.
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If your baggage is within free allowance limits, walk through the
Green Channel.
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Passengers caught red-handed with dutiable/prohibited goods in
the Green Channel are liable to prosecution/penalty and confiscation
of goods.
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