NEW DELHI, Jan 11: Foreign-bound fliers, wishing to declare jewellery and precious metals, should now carry an affidavit in case they don’t have original documents affirming ownership of valuables before customs so that they are not charged duty on such items on their return.
The customs department has opened a valuation counter at international airport here for appraisal of gold and other jewellery and issued a detailed guidelines for the passengers to declare them.
“Passenger must state the purpose of visit abroad and submit an undertaking to re-import the same jewellery,” the guidelines said.
They should also submit a copy of the invoice or legal document establishing the ownership of items being declared by them. “If no such document is available, an affidavit stating the source of jewellery, ownership and value must be submitted,” it said.
People can take the jewellery appraisal certificate at least a fortnight before their departure in order to avoid last minute rush at the airport.
The items are to be packed preferably in transparent packing so that they are visible without opening the package. After verification the items are to be repacked in the box covered with white cloth. The box will then be sealed by the customs officials and will be handed over with necessary documents and certificates, the guidelines said.
On return, the passenger shall approach the customs red channel counter and produce the jewellery along with the copy of packing list handed over to him by the customs at the time of departure. The jewellery will be detained and kept by the customs in the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) warehouse. “A detention receipt will be given by the customs to the passenger,” it said.
Once the jewellery are appraised as per the certification done at at the time of export, the same will be released, the customs said.
The new counter opened at the airport for the valuation of
jewellery is in addition to such facility available at Jhandewalan area in the national capital, about 30 km from the airport.
International fliers can use the facility on all days between 10 AM and 5 PM, except Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays at the airport connect building, T-3, IGI airport, the customs department said.
This additional counter will be issuing jewellery appraisal certificate which can be shown to customs officials upon their return to avoid payment of duty on items declared by them.
“Export certificate will be issued only for personal bona fide jewellery and not for jewellery in commercial quantity,” it said.
There are already counters at the airport to declare personal items like watches, sun glasses and others being taken by fliers and airline crew.
Passengers for long have been demanding opening up of valuation counters at the airport.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation in this regard, the Delhi High Court has recently asked customs to have an additional counter inside or near the airport in case the appraisal counter from Jhandewalan cannot be shifted.
“No appraisal counter which can give export certificate is available at IGI Airport and for getting the assessment; passengers are directed to Customs House at Jhandewalan, which is 30 kms distance— the same causes inconvenience to the passengers,” the petition had said. (PTI)
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