Export Certificate for Passengers - Why can't Board prescribe a uniform procedure?
AS per the Baggage Rules, a lady Indian returning from a foreign country can bring gold worth one lakh rupees (this is only fifty thousand for a gentleman). In one lakh, you can hardly get 40 grams of gold - maybe one good necklace. Then what will happen to earrings, bangles and other ornaments?
She can bring back gold taken out earlier by her or a family member, but she has to prove to the satisfaction of the Assistant Commissioner that the gold was indeed taken out earlier from India. But how do you satisfy the Assistant Commissioner?
They have a system called export certificate issued by the Customs when you leave the country. And different Air Customs offices have prescribed different procedures.
The Chennai Air Customs prescribes:
1. Log on to Chennai Air Customs Commissionerate Website at www.aircustomschennai.gov.in and Click the Link "Download Export Certificate Format" under the option "Online Export Certificate". The Export Certificate in editable format will be opened to the user which has to be duly filled in. After filling all the particulars in the downloaded Export Certificate Format, the same has to be taken as a printout in duplicate or can be saved as a "pdf" file for future reference and use.
2. The downloaded Export Certificate Form, duly filled in all respects, should be brought by the passenger in duplicate alongwith the goods for which the Export Certificate is sought. The passengers are advised to reach the Departure Customs Counter well in advance to the scheduled time of departure of their flight.
3. After Immigration Clearance, the Passengers shall approach the Customs Officer posted at the Departure Customs and produce Passport, Boarding Pass and the items, for which the Export Certificate is required, to the Customs Officer for examination. The items will be examined by the Customs Officer and the particulars mentioned in the Export Certificate Form by the passengers will be verified before the issue of Export Certificate, duly certified by the Customs.
4. In case of high valued items like Notebook / Laptop, Computers, Camcorder, Digital Cameras, Smart Phones etc., the Manufacturer's name, Model, Serial Number of the Product, Year of Manufacture and the value of the Items have to be furnished by the Passengers in the Online Export Certificate Form. Any document / invoice which contain the above details may also be produced to the Customs Officer for verification.
5. In case of Gold / Silver / Diamond / Studded Jewellery, the passengers should produce the following documents to the Customs Officer in support of their claim of valuation of those items furnished in the Export Certificate:-
(a) Purchase invoice / Valuation Certificate issued by the Authorised Valuer and
(b) Attested Photographs of the Jewellery by the Authorised Valuers
6. The photographs of the Jewellery must be of utmost clarity so that the Customs Officer is able to identify and verify the jewellery produced to him with respect those mentioned by the Passenger in the Export Certificate Forms.
7. The List of Authorised Valuers is Annexed to this Page. The same may be viewed by clicking here (Provide Link to the List).
8. On arrival in India, to obtain exemption from duty on re-importation of the items for which Export Certificate has been obtained, the respective items should be in the possession of the passenger or his / her family.
9. The person re-importing the items, for which Export Certificate has been obtained, shall produce the Export Certificate to the Customs Officer on Arrival and get the same endorsed from Customs before every departure out of the Country.
Why can't the Board prescribe a uniform procedure for all airports? And they should educate people going abroad, especially ladies that they are not allowed to bring in any amount of ornaments, just by wearing them - there is such a misconception.