Chapter 3: Inspection of a Traveler's Baggage.
General
Although general principles are laid down in the guidelines,
there are instances where officers must use their own judgement
or consult a superior officer for advice before any action can
be taken
Experience in the field will enable the officer to detect which
type of traveler is likely to have dutiable goods in his possession.
Useful pointers are the circumstances of the arrival or departure,
i.e. visitor, returning resident or immigrant, diplomatic staff,
businessman, the profession of the traveler and the voyage which
he has undertaken.
In all cases, the officer must be correct in his attitude and
demeanor. He must be polite and keep his temper even if the traveler,
as it may sometimes happen, is obstructive. A secondary check
may be carried out after the traveler has left the green channel
area.
3.1 Questions to be put to a Traveler
When questioning a traveler in the red channel or outside the
green channel it is necessary to ascertain that the traveler has
had every opportunity to make a complete declaration. This is
important in view of the possibility of a subsequent action to
establish any customs offense report or seizure of goods.
A useful way of putting the questions even if the traveler has
filled the declaration form is: "Only your own personal clothings,
certain used personal effects, personal jewelry, some sprits and
some cigarettes, used tools and implements for professional use,
and goods of a strictly non-commercial nature as declared by you
may be admitted free of all customs duties and taxes. Other articles
are dutiable, especially when new and more than a value of USD
100 and you are advised to declare them".
When the officer is satisfied that the traveler has thoroughly
understood what must be declared, he should ask the traveler to
produce the dutiable goods so declared. These should be verified
and the officer should again ask whether or not they are all the
goods in his possession. It should be noted out that "in
possession" includes goods carried on the person.
3.2 Inspection of Baggage
The examination of the baggage should begin only after the questions
have been put to the traveler. The inspection of the baggage will
depend on the type of the traveler which the officer is dealing
with, and also after the officer has observed any unusual behavior
of the traveler which may arise his suspicion.
Not all items of the baggage need to be examined but the officer
should select the items which are dutiable as declared on the
traveler declaration form. If goods found in the baggage are of
a commercial nature, they will be treated as merchandise (see
Chapter 6). The officer should also look for restricted or prohibited
items. In case drugs are found in the luggage, see chapter 7 for
the further guidance.
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