Customs Baggage Rules 2016 Amended - Confusing!
THE Customs Baggage Rules 2016 come into force today - the Government amended them yesterday. As per Rule 3 of the Baggage Rules 2016,
1. an Indian resident or a foreigner residing in India or a tourist of Indian origin is allowed duty free baggage allowance of fifty thousand rupees.
2. The Proviso says that a tourist of foreign origin is allowed duty free baggage allowance of fifteen thousand rupees.
Now the rule is amended to stipulate that:
1. an Indian resident or a foreigner residing in India or a tourist of Indian origin is allowed duty free baggage allowance of fifty thousand rupees.
2. The Proviso says that a tourist of Indian origin is allowed duty free baggage allowance of fifteen thousand rupees.
Now, the tourist of Indian origin has two options - duty free baggage of 50,000 and 15,000. Who will decide this? And what happened to foreign tourist? He has no duty free allowance.
The Baggage Rules have an Appendix and three annexures apart from the complicated provisions with half a dozen provisos. Can't they make these simple and short that passengers can understand?
And why should the Government be in a tearing hurry to get these amendments made a day before? Apart from the passengers understanding any of these, will the Customs officers at the airports be able to guide them?
Also please see Provide a kiosk for passengers & assistance to fill baggage declaration at airport
Notification No. ., Dated:March 31, 2016