Importing Car Accessories - Govt Policies - Team-BHP

sushanthr77 · 13th April 2007, 13:00

Hi guys,

Just wanted to know the following:

Is importing car accessories like music systems, as a part of your check-in luggage prohibited?

This was the claim a custom official had made at an airport here. I was just wondering, how do guys get something like head units from outside? He said (with a broad smile) that, I would be given a receipt towards the confiscation of the HU I had purchased. I returned the smile and asked him - what do you want?

Regards

kutlee · 13th April 2007, 14:47

Don't think so. My friend has taken in a HU from Dubai for me. There was no problem. Its just an indirect way of 'begging' for money.

ggkg · 13th April 2007, 15:31

Depending on the officer and his corruption index, practically everything is prohibited as hand luggage. There seems to be no official list or definition so it is a bonanza for these crooks. Perhaps that was the whole idea of leaving it that way.

I was once told stereo system parts (amplifier) are not allowed. Yet another time it was computer parts like Hard disk etc. They will extract bribes even if the value is < $300 or whatever the limit is.

I too have offered to pay duty / take it back abroad, immediately the guys come down and say "Duty will be 5,000 (or some big amount) why dont we settle here"

Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai are lot better in this respect because they see more traffic. Also Chennai has regular 'revenue' from cigaratte and other smugglers who are mostly from southern tn districts.

spadival · 13th April 2007, 17:06

I thought Mumbai is the worst.. They X-ray scan every bag leaving the terminal, even if you walk thru the green channel. This is the only airport in the world where I have seen bags being scanned by customs while leaving the terminal via green channel !!

ajitkommini · 13th April 2007, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by spadival

I thought Mumbai is the worst.. They X-ray scan every bag leaving the terminal, even if you walk thru the green channel. This is the only airport in the world where I have seen bags being scanned by customs while leaving the terminal via green channel !!

This happened to me in Delhi too though.

shuvd · 13th April 2007, 17:40

Last time I checked, an Indian can bring in electronics worth Rs.20000/ without any duty hassles. This 20k does not include a laptop and a camera.

sushanthr77 · 13th April 2007, 18:12

@shuvd: "Last time I checked, an Indian can bring in electronics worth Rs.20000/ without any duty hassles. This 20k does not include a laptop and a camera."

They sing the "banned items" tunes if this reasoning is presented.

@ggkg:"I too have offered to pay duty / take it back abroad, immediately the guys come down and say "Duty will be 5,000 (or some big amount) why dont we settle here"

In my case, since it was a "banned item", I would have to pay 100% duty.

The guys at the exchange counters at the airports are also involved in this. They know that you approach them only to bribe these officials and hence make best use of the situation. The exchange rates are poor and that way they earn some 200-300Rs.

ggkg · 13th April 2007, 18:13

Electronics is not supposed to include 'parts'. Atleast according to the corrupt crooks. As to what it includes and what it does not, the situation will be vague so it can be exploited by these vultures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvd

Last time I checked, an Indian can bring in electronics worth Rs.20000/ without any duty hassles. This 20k does not include a laptop and a camera.

sreedotk · 13th April 2007, 19:10

Gentlemen and Ladies

you can refer the Customs and Central excise web site to know what exactly is allowed and not allowed

Here is the link

BAGGAGE RULES

Hope this is of help in future

regards

Sree

finneyp · 13th April 2007, 19:23

Thanks Sree for the link!

So I guess we can bring stuff worth Rs 25,000/- without any issues!
Thatz quite less I feel, a good HandyCam would cost around Rs.30,000/-

spadival · 13th April 2007, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushanthr77

The guys at the exchange counters at the airports are also involved in this. They know that you approach them only to bribe these officials and hence make best use of the situation. The exchange rates are poor and that way they earn some 200-300Rs.

I always carry Indian currency with me. Exchange counters are screwy everywhere..Thomas Cook being among the worst.

BTW, I am sure customs will accept bribe in foreign currency as well

.. Infact, they salivate at the very thought of being paid in $$$'s !

esteem_lover · 13th April 2007, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushanthr77

They sing the "banned items" tunes if this reasoning is presented.
In my case, since it was a "banned item", I would have to pay 100% duty.

If it is banned, how come you have to pay any duty at all ??? you will have to be put on trial for trying to smuggle a contraband. please try to put out facts.
thanks

sushanthr77 · 14th April 2007, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

If it is banned, how come you have to pay any duty at all ???

I wish I could ask him this question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

you will have to be put on trial for trying to smuggle a contraband

If you wish!

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

please try to put out facts

The facts are simple. The official only found my Alpine HU (a standard model) a candidate for demanding bribe. If he was earning a considerable salary, he probably wouldn't have to beg the way he did. If the rule/law was devoid of loop holes, he couldn't have lied the way he did.

ggkg · 14th April 2007, 06:30

Never bribe in $. the value always looks small. You end up paying more. Keep INR in hand..or you can ask relative to pass you money. That's allowed.

By and large I should say customs is improving. I go abroad often, and the incident I narrated was 2 yrs ago. For three reasons - the newer bunch are younger and more refined unlike the pot-bellied goondas of past, secondly, they have enormous regular sources of bribe from syndicated smugglers, so you and me are small fry. Thirdly there is always a risk of negative publicity by going for some genuine NRI/traveler who may have 'connections'

13th April 2007, 13:00	#1 (permalink)
sushanthr77 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 171 View My Garage	Importing Car Accessories - Govt Policies Hi guys, Just wanted to know the following: Is importing car accessories like music systems, as a part of your check-in luggage prohibited? This was the claim a custom official had made at an airport here. I was just wondering, how do guys get something like head units from outside? He said (with a broad smile) that, I would be given a receipt towards the confiscation of the HU I had purchased. I returned the smile and asked him - what do you want? Regards

13th April 2007, 17:40	#6 (permalink)
shuvd BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 780 View My Garage	Last time I checked, an Indian can bring in electronics worth Rs.20000/ without any duty hassles. This 20k does not include a laptop and a camera. __________________ I (still) feel the need...the NEED for SPEED

13th April 2007, 19:23	#10 (permalink)
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,359 View My Garage	Thanks Sree for the link! So I guess we can bring stuff worth Rs 25,000/- without any issues! Thatz quite less I feel, a good HandyCam would cost around Rs.30,000/- __________________ Drive Safe, your loved ones need you!!! My Passion is not driving Cars, but driving a FIAT! Finney, Bangalore Palio 1.2 NV - 2004

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13th April 2007, 14:47	#2 (permalink)
kutlee BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 328 View My Garage	Don't think so. My friend has taken in a HU from Dubai for me. There was no problem. Its just an indirect way of 'begging' for money.

13th April 2007, 15:31	#3 (permalink)
ggkg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 112	Depending on the officer and his corruption index, practically everything is prohibited as hand luggage. There seems to be no official list or definition so it is a bonanza for these crooks. Perhaps that was the whole idea of leaving it that way. I was once told stereo system parts (amplifier) are not allowed. Yet another time it was computer parts like Hard disk etc. They will extract bribes even if the value is < $300 or whatever the limit is. I too have offered to pay duty / take it back abroad, immediately the guys come down and say "Duty will be 5,000 (or some big amount) why dont we settle here" Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai are lot better in this respect because they see more traffic. Also Chennai has regular 'revenue' from cigaratte and other smugglers who are mostly from southern tn districts.

13th April 2007, 17:06	#4 (permalink)
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 1,458 View My Garage	I thought Mumbai is the worst.. They X-ray scan every bag leaving the terminal, even if you walk thru the green channel. This is the only airport in the world where I have seen bags being scanned by customs while leaving the terminal via green channel !!

13th April 2007, 18:12	#7 (permalink)
sushanthr77 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 171 View My Garage	@shuvd: "Last time I checked, an Indian can bring in electronics worth Rs.20000/ without any duty hassles. This 20k does not include a laptop and a camera." They sing the "banned items" tunes if this reasoning is presented. @ggkg:"I too have offered to pay duty / take it back abroad, immediately the guys come down and say "Duty will be 5,000 (or some big amount) why dont we settle here" In my case, since it was a "banned item", I would have to pay 100% duty. The guys at the exchange counters at the airports are also involved in this. They know that you approach them only to bribe these officials and hence make best use of the situation. The exchange rates are poor and that way they earn some 200-300Rs.

13th April 2007, 19:10	#9 (permalink)
sreedotk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 98	Gentlemen and Ladies you can refer the Customs and Central excise web site to know what exactly is allowed and not allowed Here is the link BAGGAGE RULES Hope this is of help in future regards Sree

14th April 2007, 06:30	#14 (permalink)
ggkg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 112	Never bribe in $. the value always looks small. You end up paying more. Keep INR in hand..or you can ask relative to pass you money. That's allowed. By and large I should say customs is improving. I go abroad often, and the incident I narrated was 2 yrs ago. For three reasons - the newer bunch are younger and more refined unlike the pot-bellied goondas of past, secondly, they have enormous regular sources of bribe from syndicated smugglers, so you and me are small fry. Thirdly there is always a risk of negative publicity by going for some genuine NRI/traveler who may have 'connections'