International Passenger Facilitation - CBEC's Customs Manual 2023 - Customs

Chapter 26: International Passenger Facilitation 1. Introduction: 1.1 Customs is mandated to ensure passengers entering or leaving India carry on person/handbag or accompanied baggage, goods in accordance with the permissible quantity/value and legal provisions and do not attempt to smuggle prohibited or banned or sensitive goods. Also, all passengers including businessmen, trade delegations, professionals expect speedy Customs clearance. Thus, Customs officials at the airports have a challenging role of ensuring quick clearance and passenger facilitation, as well as enforcing the Customs Act, 1962 and various allied laws that protect the interests of society/economy/revenue. 1.2 Over the time Indian Customs have aligned its procedures in tune with the best international practices in terms of duty free baggage allowances and other facilities and procedures. Steps have also been taken to educate general public and incoming and outgoing passengers of the extant Customs rules and regulations. In this direction Customs prominently display the relevant provisions/baggage allowances and list of prohibited/restricted items (endangered species or articles made from flora and fauna such as ivory, musk, reptile skins, furs, shahtoosh, antiques, satellite phones, etc.) at all international airport, with the dos and don ts for benefit of passengers. A booklet on Customs Guide to Travelers is also brought out periodically and circulated at airports as well as to our Embassies/Consulates abroad. Passenger related Customs information is also made available on the CBIC's web-site www.cbic.gov.in.