Carriage of domestic cargo on international flights - CBEC's Customs Manual 2023 - Customs

14. Carriage of domestic cargo on international flights : 14.1 Air India, Indian Airlines and private domestic private airlines are permitted to carry domestic cargo between domestic airports on their international flights subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions: (i) Separate space shall be assigned by the airlines or custodian in the cargo complex/ area of the airport for receipt and storage of domestic cargo till these are delivered or dispatched. (ii) Domestic cargo will be received by the airlines in the designated area during the normal working hours of Customs at the respective airport. (iii) The containers/Unit Load Devices (ULDs) used to carry the domestic or international cargo shall be clearly marked or coloured or strapped, for identification, distinction at the time of loading/ unloading, transportation. (iv) Domestic tags shall be prepared for identification of the domestic cargo with separate colour coding. (v) Loading or unloading of domestic cargo in any international flight/ aircraft shall be carried under the supervision of Customs officers. (vi) Domestic and international cargo will be loaded separately, and shall be carried in hold area onboard the aircraft distinctly identifying these cargoes. (vii) On arrival of the domestic cargo, at the destination airport, the airlines shall make necessary arrangements to deliver the domestic cargo. (viii) In respect of transhipment of international cargo, airlines shall be required to execute necessary bond and bank guarantee unless exempted on account of fulfilling the specified threshold limit of annual transshipment volume. In addition, prescribed transshipment procedure shall be strictly adhered to. Accordingly, no separate bond or bank guarantee shall be required in respect of domestic cargo. (ix) In case of any violation of the prescribed conditions or any other regulations providing for the manner in which the imported goods/ export goods shall be received, stored, delivered or otherwise handled in a Customs area, necessary action may be taken against the person including withdrawal of the facility and imposition of penalty under the Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations, 2009 . [Refer Circulars No. 78/2001-Cus, dated 7-12-2001 , No.45/2005-Cus, dated 24-11-2005 , No.6/2007-Cus, dated 22.01.2007 and No.4/2010-Cus, dated 15-2-2010 ]