Need to know the customs limits
Feb 14, 2010 | 2:07 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-WAW-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, AC*G, LH FTL, AI*G *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,752
The problem is, the customs chaps at BOM are quite fickle. Last November, I brought in a few extra bottles of booze above the permitted limit of 2 litres, and they said nothing. In December, the guy checking my bags insisted that I prove to him that I had brought only one bottle of perfume (as I claimed) and not several (as he claimed to have "seen" on the x-ray machine). YMMV.
It is Green CHANNEL where you walk out claiming that you have no dutiable goods.
If you walk out through the GREEN CHANNEL and have a foreign passport you are almost never stopped. On an average in Chennai about one out of every 10 is stopped if they are flying in from SIN or DXB and other middle eastern countries.
I have flown through Chennai over 100 times in the last 20 years, have always walked through the green channel and have never been stopped or searched.
I have been stopped in searched once every 4 times in all US airports. I have a British passport and a green card. I have been stopped and searched twice when entering UK in the last 20 years.
India is one of the easiest green channels to pass through unless you are foolish enough to bring gold and other banned items.
If you walk out through the GREEN CHANNEL and have a foreign passport you are almost never stopped. On an average in Chennai about one out of every 10 is stopped if they are flying in from SIN or DXB and other middle eastern countries.
I have flown through Chennai over 100 times in the last 20 years, have always walked through the green channel and have never been stopped or searched.
I have been stopped in searched once every 4 times in all US airports. I have a British passport and a green card. I have been stopped and searched twice when entering UK in the last 20 years.
India is one of the easiest green channels to pass through unless you are foolish enough to bring gold and other banned items.
Feb 14, 2010 | 2:54 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rockville, MD
Programs: Alaska-MVP100k; AA-Plat; HH-Diamond; Hertz Pres
Posts: 415
My experience has been the same in BLR the past several times I visited home. And I have an Indian passport.
Feb 14, 2010 | 6:57 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: All over India
Programs: 9W Plat, Flying Blue Elite, HHonors Gold, Accor Le Club Plat
Posts: 814
OP to note: The degree and extent of customs checks varies significantly. BOM seems to scan every piece of baggage; DEL - unless the pax looks/acts suspicious, I haven't seen them do anything; CCU - if they find the energy to turn on the x-ray machines, congratulations
; MAA - scan only hand luggage, as long as pax isn't carrying half of Singapore/Dubai/wherever !!!; BLR - somewhere between BOM and CCU.
Feb 14, 2010 | 7:07 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-WAW-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, AC*G, LH FTL, AI*G *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,752
How I wish that happened with me ! But yes, entirely agree about tempting fate...
OP to note: The degree and extent of customs checks varies significantly. BOM seems to scan every piece of baggage; DEL - unless the pax looks/acts suspicious, I haven't seen them do anything;
OP to note: The degree and extent of customs checks varies significantly. BOM seems to scan every piece of baggage; DEL - unless the pax looks/acts suspicious, I haven't seen them do anything;
Feb 15, 2010 | 1:59 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,198
Feb 15, 2010 | 4:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-WAW-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, AC*G, LH FTL, AI*G *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,752
