Gold Smuggling - Hyderabad Customs Advisory
THE Hyderabad Customs in a Press Release states,
Hyderabad airport has seen a surge in gold smuggling in the recent times. During the last financial year 2014-15, 127.67 kgs of gold valued at 31.98 crores was attempted to be smuggled through the Hyderabad International Airport. 125 cases of gold smuggling were registered and 40 persons arrested for smuggling of gold. In majority of the cases the smuggler is only a carrier sent by a syndicate. Regular passengers are being lured to smuggle in gold for a paltry sum of Rs.10000/15000 plus airfare.
Indian passengers who have stayed abroad for more than a year are allowed to bring free of duty Gold in the form of jewellery free of duty in their bonafide baggage upto an aggregate value of Rs. 50,000/- (in the case of a gentleman passenger) or Rs.1,00,000/- (in the case of a lady passenger). Importation of Gold and Silver(in the form of tola bars or bars turned into crude designs) is restricted. A person of Indian origin or an Indian national after a stay of 6 months abroad can bring gold upto1kg on payment of duty of 10.3% on the tariff value of the gold, the value of which is notified by the central government, from time to time. In cases where the gold is brought in excess of the provisions and declared to customs, a duty of 36.05% is to be paid by the passenger. Further, the Customs Act empowers imposition of heavy penalties including arrest for those passengers who attempt to walk through the Green Channel with prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods.
Legally, passengers are allowed free of duty their used personal effects. Passengers are hereby advised to note that they are permitted a Baggage allowance of Rs.45,000/- for a stay exceeding 3 days. However the allowance is not applicable to Flat Panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) Television. One laptop computer (notebook computer) over and above the said free allowances mentioned above is also allowed duty free if imported by any passenger of the age of 18 years (??) and above. Alcoholic liquor upto 2 litres per person is allowed to be imported within the free allowance. The goods over and above the free allowances are generally chargeable to customs duty at 36.05%.
Passengers are advised not to enter into arrangements with smugglers without understanding the penal consequences. Passengers should note that non-declaration,misdeclaration and concealment of imported goods is an offence under the Customs Act which may result in confiscation, fine, penalty arrest and prosecution.