Flat Panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) Television not free baggage
YESTERDAY, in DDT 2172 , we reported -
"In the RajyaSabha yesterday, a copy of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Notification No. 84/2013-Customs (N.T.), dated the 19th August, 2013, seeking to further amend Notification No. 30/98-Customs (N.T.), dated the 2nd June, 1998, so as to disallow import of "Flat Panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) Television"as part of free baggage allowance, along with Explanatory Memorandum, under Section 79 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), was laid on the Table of the House.
In the days to come, we would get to read televisions being smuggled into the country. Fortunately, they cannot be hidden in undergarments or body parts! So, they are right royally brought in without paying proper duty even by Customs officers.
But, where is the notification? - CBEC is yet to make it public."
The notification arrived yesterday afternoon. Suffice to say that Flat Panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) Television cannot be imported as part of free baggage allowance from August, 26, 2013 .Fortunately, there is ample time for travellers to bring into the country these pricey television sets and make burgeoning profits simply because they have not been caught off-guard. On 19 th August, 2013, this ban was announced in the Press and on websitesand there was frenetic activity amongst a few. Travel tickets for onward and return journeys to countries other than Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar or China were booked with alarming speed. After all, the Baggage Rule 3 read with clause (a) in column (1) of the Appendix ‘A' mandated that the benefit of free baggage is available to - "All passengers of and above 10 years of age and returning after stay abroad of more than three days."
So, what can one make of this notification which was issued to prop up the rupee which fell below Rs.64 against the US dollar. It is rumored that in the coming days the rupee may breach even what Goldman Sachs announced and would be racing towards setting new records.
After all, there is nearly a week to go before the ban comes into effect! And would this ban be reversed if and when the rupee value climbs?
Notification , dated August, 19, 2013