Hurried Hike - Customs Officers Caught Unawares
THE Gold Notifications are all dated 16th January 2012, but the Board made them public only on 17th January and they are effective from 17th January that is from 00.00 hrs of 17.01.2012. But till 1130 AM on 17th January, nobody knew about these notifications. What would have been the duty charged from passengers who landed early in the morning of 17th January? Do you go in search of them now to demand the short paid duty? Why can't they give a little time to the Customs officers to understand the notifications and implement them?
DDT spoke to several Customs Officers in various airports about the changed duty structure. They were all aware of some notifications but most them had no clue as to what the tariff values were. God knows how they cleared the precious metals last night and the night before that!