Customs - How to take Gold Abroad?
IN almost all our international airports, in the Customs arrival lounge, you can often see emotional women returning to India arguing with Customs officers about the gold jewellery they carry/wear (visibly). When they argue that the gold was taken out while going abroad, the Customs officers want proof that the gold was indeed of Indian origin.
, explained about the ‘export certificate' and the difficulty of getting it. There was actually a PIL in the Delhi High Court.
Now, the Delhi Airport Customs Commissioner has issued a detailed Public Notice on how to go about in getting that export certificate if you want to carry some ornaments abroad and bring them back when you return.
Here is the simple procedure:
1. Go to the Customs officer with four copies of a detailed packaging list giving all possible minute details of each item of jewellery like BIS No., purity, gross weight, net weight, value etc. (Did you ever bother to check these details of your jewellery?. Do it now)
2. You should have a valid passport with a return ticket. (Why the return ticket? Are they afraid I will abscond with my own jewellery? Will they not give me the facility, if I have not decided when to come back?)
3. Take two photographs - not of you, but that of each item of your jewellery. (all in a single frame or separate?)
4. Tell them why you want to go abroad and promise that you will bring back the same jewellery. (Hopefully they will not insist that the jewellery has to be brought back)
5. After a detailed examination and sealing, the sealed packet will be given to you with the signatures of the appraiser and sealing with Customs Seal.
6. Once you get the sealed package, YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THIS COUNTRY within 15 days.
7. When you reach the airport for your foreign sojourn, go and see the Customs officer who will verify the packet, photo and certificates and escort you to the security hold area.
8. While returning, you should get the jewellery verified by the Customs officer who will detain your jewellery and get them certified by an appraiser with whom your appointment will be arranged.
9. Lo and Behold!You have brought back your jewellery!
The Public Notice does not clarify what happens if you don't come back to India through the Delhi airport. Am I not allowed to enter my country through another airport, seaport or even a land route?
Will anyone go through all this tortuous procedure to take a little gold out of the country and bring it back? And see how many points of contact, when our effort is to be to reduce contacts? Will it not attract charges of corruption at various levels? Is it safe for Customs to detain the gold jewellery to be returned in a few days? What if some gold is missing? Will they also insist on women surrendering their ornaments like ‘mangalsutra/thali' and bangles, which carry religious and sentimental values for detention by Customs?Will the Customs strip every piece of jewellery from every passenger before allowing clearance? Is it practically possible?
And is this more Government or Governance? Is it worth all the trouble? The Government should consider enhancing the duty free eligibility. Why not allow a duty free allowance of Rs. 5 lakhs for a lady and Rs. 2 lakhs for a man, of jewellery worn on the person?
The Finance Minister should seriously consider this in this budget.