Customs Guide
One of the things which are common to all international airports round the world, is the bifurcation of the incoming passenger traffic. Customs Guide helps you to two channels – the red and the green channel. What do these channels mean to you? And what do you need to know about them? Knowledge about these channels is important. As it is related to your knowledge about customs regulations too.
When you arrive in a particular country, you will go through the Red or the Green Channel. When you are carrying goods and items which you have to ‘declare’ that is, goods. Which go beyond the permitted limits of customs of that country. Or any prohibited item, you have to go through the Red Channel.
Explanation
Whereas when you dont carry any item which needs to be ‘declared’ to the customs authorities. That is all the items carried throuh you dont go beyond the customs limits. And none of the items are prohibited in that country. you can go through the Green Channel.
In the Green Channel, you might just be checked casually. And make it through the entire process of Customs Guide very easily and quickly. If however, any item is found in your baggage or on your person. Which is prohibited by the customs of that country and you have not declared. So, you stand a chance of being prosecuted for giving false declaration. Remember, making a false declaration to the customs authority in any country is a punishable offence by law.
Blue Channel
All countries which fall under European Union, also have a Blue Channel, through which, passengers arriving from countries belonging to the EU can pass through, as they do not have to pay any customs duties, so long as the goods they brought in are meant for personal use and not for re-sale. You will notice that all checked-in luggage of passengers arriving from other EU countries will carry tickets with green edges for easy identification.
Thus it is important for you to know beforehand what the customs formalities are before you arrive in any country to avoid getting your luggage checked and paying customs duties. Remember, you have to go through the Red Channel if you have to declare goods which fall under three categories: Dutiable, Controlled and Prohibited. It is not possible to list them down, as it varies from one country to another. Even when you are in doubt, you should go to the Red Channel and seek proper advice from the relevant authorities. It is perfectly normal for your luggage to be checked by officers at various checkpoints and they can do this, irrespective of whether you go through the Red or the Green Channel.
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