Goods detained at International Airports - Procedure for disposal modified - Customs - 053/98

Circular No. 53/98- Customs dated 29/ 7/1998 F.No. 520 / 136 / 92 - Cus. VI Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue, New Delhi Subject : Eight report of Estimates Committee (11th Lok Sabha) on disposal of detained passenger Baggage at International Airports, action taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the forty-ninth report of Estimates Committee (10th Lok Sabha) on the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Customs clearance at International Airport - Reg. In Para No. 1.25 the Committee had observed that goods are detained at the International Airports temporarily at the request of the passengers either for payment of duty or for the purpose of re-export or subsequent production of documents. If the passenger does not come up for clearance of goods within the time limit given in the detention receipt, action is initiated by the Customs authorities for disposal of goods after confiscation. The Committee had recommended in their report that the Government after deducting Customs duty etc., from revenue obtained on disposal of the confiscated goods, should refund the balance amount of the owner/ passenger. The Ministry has accepted the above recommendation of the Committee. To give effect to the above decision it may be ensured that the full address of passengers in India is retained at the time of issue of the Detention Receipt. In case the passengers are not resident in India, they should be requested to give the name of an authorised representative who would be accepting the amount due to the passenger from the Department. From the sale proceeds the customs duty etc. be deducted and the balance may be sent to the passenger. You are requested to please acknowledge the receipt of this instruction. Sd/- (Ranjana Jha) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India