4.1 Diplomatic Bags and Consignments.
Diplomatic bags will be released from customs on production by
diplomatic missions concerned of the appropriate airway bill or
any other transport document along with a released certificate
stating the number of parcels that have been consigned to the
diplomatic missions.
Other diplomatic consignments will be released only after approval
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will provide an advance
copy of the approved certificate for processing. The diplomatic
missions will submit a copy of the approved certificate at time
of completing clearance formalities.
4.2 Personal Baggage of Diplomatic Officers
Officers encounter difficulties in dealing with travelers holding
diplomatic passports. Their attention is drawn to an extract of
the Vienna Convention which reads as follows:
1. The receiving State shall, in accordance with such laws and
regulations as it may adopt, permit entry of and grant exemption
from all customs duties, taxes and related charges other than
charges for storage, cartage and similar services on-
(a) articles for the official use of the mission;
(b) articles for the personal use of a diplomatic agent or members
of his family forming part of his household, including articles
intended for his establishment.
The personal baggage of a diplomatic officer shall be exempted
from inspection, unless there are serious grounds for presuming
that it contains articles not covered by the exemptions mentioned
in paragraph 1 of this Article, or articles the import or export
of which is prohibited by the law or controlled by the quarantine
regulations of the receiving State. Such inspection shall be conducted
only in the presence of the diplomatic officer or his authorized
representative.
In the right of the above article and in cases where the customs
officer has serious grounds to search the baggage of diplomatic
officers, they should seek the advice of the Supervisor or must
inform the Liaison Office, Travelers Division, for action to be
taken.
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