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Ranya Rao Arrest News: Anyone entering India has to pass through a customs check after being first cleared by an immigration officer and taking delivery of his or her baggage. Here’s all you need to know about the customs rules in India
The Indian Customs Act of 1962 regulates import and export duties and establishes the guidelines for customs valuation. (Representative image)
The recovery of 14.8 kg of gold from Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport is being touted as one of the biggest seizures. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted the major smuggling racket while Rao was just one step away from clearing the airport security.
After searches at spots linked to her, the authorities concerned recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore. Rao was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days in judicial custody. Rao, who travelled to the Saudi city 30 times wearing the same clothes over the past year bringing back kilos of gold on each trip, is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao. The DGP-rank officer is currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
The entire episode has shocked the nation and has necessitated the need for us to revisit and learn the customs rules in India.
Customs Regulations In India
The Indian Customs Act of 1962 regulates import and export duties and establishes the guidelines for customs valuation. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is the highest authority overseeing customs, excise, and goods and services tax matters in India.
Every passenger entering India has to pass through a customs check after being first cleared by an Immigration Officer and taking delivery of his or her baggage, if any, from the conveyer belts. The passenger has the option of seeking Customs clearance through either of the two channels: Green Channel for passengers not having any dutiable or prohibited goods, and Red Channel for passengers having dutiable or prohibited goods.
Mandatory Requirements
Passengers with prohibited or dutiable goods, or those exceeding their duty-free allowance, must complete a customs declaration form and choose the Red Channel. They can also declare dutiable items and currency before boarding via the ATITHI mobile app. Declaration of foreign exchange is required if the value of foreign currency notes exceeds US $5,000 or if the total foreign exchange, including currency, exceeds US $10,000. Passengers using the Green Channel with dutiable or prohibited goods may face prosecution, penalties, and confiscation.
What All Are Allowed To be Brought In
Upon arrival from countries other than Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar, the following duty-free allowances apply: Indian Residents and Foreigners Residing in India can bring: i) Used personal effects and travel souvenirs, articles worth up to Rs 50,000 carried in person or as accompanied baggage, excluding firearms and ammunition (over 50 cartridges), over 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 125 g of tobacco, alcoholic beverages exceeding 2 l, gold or silver (other than ornaments), flat-panel televisions (LCD/LED/Plasma), ii) Tourists of foreign origin can bring Used personal effects and travel souvenirs and Articles up to Rs 15,000 in value carried on person or as accompanied baggage.
However, on arrival from Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar, Indian residents, foreigners residing in India, and tourists can bring used personal effects and travel souvenirs and items up to Rs 15,000.
How Much Gold Can One Bring
An Indian passenger who has been residing abroad for over one year is allowed to bring jewellery, free of duty in his bonafide baggage up to 20 grams with a value cap of Rs 50,000 (in case of a gentleman passenger) or up to 40 grams with a value cap of Rs 1,00,000 (in the case of a lady passenger). Any passenger of Indian Origin or a passenger holding a valid passport coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad. However, short visits during these six months shall be ignored if the total duration of such short visits does not exceed 30 days and the passenger has not availed of the exemption under this scheme, at the time of such short visits. Except for these passengers, no other passengers are allowed to import gold in baggage.
How Much Cash Can You Get
Any person can bring into India from a place outside India foreign exchange without any limit. However, a declaration of foreign exchange/ currency is required to be made in a few cases. Import of Indian Currency is prohibited. However, passengers normally resident in India who are returning from a visit abroad can bring Indian currency up to Rs 25,000.
Punishment For Smuggling
Under the Customs Act, the non-declaration, mis-declaration, and concealment of imported goods are serious offences, which can lead to confiscation, fines, penalties, and even prosecution. The Act also allows for stringent actions against passengers who attempt to smuggle prohibited, restricted, or dutiable goods through the Green Channel or mis-declare their goods at the Red Channel. Furthermore, the law penalizes individuals who attempt to export prohibited or restricted goods or abet such offences.
The consequences of violating these provisions under the Customs Act can be severe. Offenders may face the absolute confiscation of their goods or be subjected to heavy fines, depending on the nature of the goods. Penalties can also be imposed on individuals or entities involved, and in serious cases, arrest and prosecution may follow. Additionally, preventive detention may be invoked in particularly grave instances to deter such illegal activities.
