Liquor as part of Baggage –Instructions –Reg. - Customs - 23/2013

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE : COCHIN-682009 TRADE FACILITY NO. 23/2013 Sub: Liquor as part of Baggage Instructions Reg. Attention of International passengers, public and operators of Duty Free Shops (DFS) is invited to Para 2.20 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 regarding the provisions for import bonafide baggage by passengers, subject to terms and conditions in the Baggage Rules,1998 . Baggage Rules, 1998 permit import of alcoholic liquor or wine not in excess of 2 litres by eligible passenger subject to the specified overall duty free allowance. Further, the provisions of Section 15A of the Kerala Abkari Act (1of 1077) specify that no person under the age of 18 years shall consume or use any alcoholic liquor, while Section 15B of the said Act prohibits sale or delivery of alcoholic liquor to persons under the age of 18 years. Therefore, it follows that liquor is not a bonafide baggage item for passengers who are persons below the age as specified in Sections 15A 15B of the Kerala Abkari Act. Law of the land also prohibits any such sale of alcoholic beverages to persons belowthe specified age through any outlets including Duty free shops (DFS). It is therefore informed that alcoholic beverages cannot be imported by passengers who are below the age specified in Section 15A 15 B of the Kerala Abkari Act through the International Airport and any such imports shall be liable for confiscation. In view of the above mentioned provisions of law, passengers below the specified age would not be eligible to purchase alcoholic beverages from the Duty Free Shops in the International Airport. It is also brought to the notice of all concerned that the existing provisions of Baggage Rules allow duty free clearance of liquor upto 2 litres per eligible passenger. Hence, import of liquor by such eligible passengers above the said limit of 2 litres shall be only on collection of applicable duties. Any instances of deviation of above directions will be viewed seriously and would invite penal action. Difficulties, if any, on implementation of the above may be brought to the notice of the undersigned. Sd/- (Dr. K.N.RAGHAVAN) COMMISSIONER F.No.C1/01/2013 TUCus.Pt. I Dated: 08.08.2013