Have you been stopped by customs officials at the airport for the gold jewellery you were wearing? Has your old jewellery been confiscated by customs upon your return to India? If this has happened, there is a good news for you. The Delhi High Court has directed the customs department
Airport Rules: Have you been stopped by customs officials at the airport for the gold jewellery you are wearing? Has your old jewellery been confiscated by customs upon your return to India? If this has happened, then there is a relief news for you. The Delhi High Court has directed the Customs Department not to confiscate the old and personal jewellery of passengers coming to India and also not to harass them. The court said that passengers should not face unnecessary problems at airports. This order was given after complaints of confiscation and harassment of jewellery worn during travel.
Instructions given to Customs Department
A bench of Justices Pratibha M Singh and Rajnish Kumar Gupta gave clear instructions to the customs officials not to misbehave with Indian passengers and foreign tourists. The court gave this decision when the Customs Department told that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is still working on changes in the rules and they need some more time for this.
What was the matter?
This decision came during the hearing of more than 30 petitions, where passengers had complained about the customs officials confiscating their luggage and jewelry. The petitioners said that the customs officials confiscate jewelry without any solid reason and harass the passengers.
Passengers should not be stopped unnecessarily
The court instructed the customs officials to strictly follow this order. The court said that if the rules are not changed by the next hearing, then a standard operating procedure (SOP) should be made by May 19. It will be implemented till the new rules come.
What will be the new rules?
The Customs Department said that the CBIC is discussing the matter with the stakeholders and is engaged in making new rules. However, the court made it clear that until the new rules are made, the customs officials cannot confiscate the jewelry worn or used by the passengers.
Relief to passengers
After this decision, passengers will get great relief. Especially those who come from abroad wearing their personal jewelry. They will not be stopped unnecessarily now. The court also decided that if the rules are not changed by May 19, then a temporary guideline should be made so that passengers do not face any problems.
