Customs (tax) & Immigration - Chennai

Earthling · Nov 2nd, 2007, 18:34

Are Customs and Immigration officers in Chennai strict about the baggage allowances for people transferring residence?

I have some eletronics - Laptop, dekstop, SLR camera, phone, skype phone, and a whole bunch of other small items- that I'm bringing with me on my airplane.

In the past I believe they were highly corrupt and eagerly awaiting people in my position so they could threaten them with the prohibitive 200% tax that we had, or to collect a small bribe in lieu..

Now the tax rate is down to 35% for used personal effects including some electronics. I'm wondering how they value the item to impose a tax on it. Is it arbitrary, or is there some prescribed method for valuation?

Do they generally harass returning Indians or are we welcome to bring whatever we like, with the rules being only a monument to the past? Or do they still expect a 'gift' to look the other way?

Any input from anyone who has gone through his recently much appreciated!

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2007, 00:25

Worth getting an agent to deal with them.

I paid £50 tax on a whole household of furniture and electronics. Some of the electronics was originally expensive, but all was fairly old.

They probably don't examine any box anyway, but of course they choose the ones they do look at and the contents list should be correct or you could get into trouble.

An agent knows how to deal with this stuff.

Earthling · Nov 3rd, 2007, 09:16

GBP50! A steal!

Are there agents to work with airline passengers? I thought the agents only work with containers...

I don't have a container coming by sea, only what I'm carrying with me, but that alone is enough to attract a heavy tax. A lot of people have told me to simply walk through the 'green channel' and if stopped to insist that my items are for personal use (which they are). I'm not so sure of the legality of this method. I don't want to start my stay in India by breaking the law, granted everybody does it and nobody views it as 'breaking the law' only as 'working around the system'...

This is so ridiculous. To have to pay 35% tax on a 3 year old laptop, and 4 year old desktop! I built the desktop myself, how could they possibly value it when the components are long out dated?

I think I'll email Customs in Chennai. Wish me luck. The bureaucratc wrangling begins. The long hand of bureaucratic India touches me thousands of miles away!

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2007, 17:17

That's a tough one.

I've just sent three cartons by "excess baggage" --- it really is old stuff, rubbish even (but stuff my wife wanted from my late mum's house), and I shall be upset if they charge me anything!

You're probably right about the agent. Certainly if it is coming on the plane with you you are going to have to deal with it alone.

They do take age into account, and have a table of depreciation, but I don't know wht it is like dealing with them.

ISN · Nov 9th, 2007, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthling

Are Customs and Immigration officers in Chennai strict about the baggage allowances for people transferring residence?

I have some eletronics - Laptop, dekstop, SLR camera, phone, skype phone, and a whole bunch of other small items- that I'm bringing with me on my airplane.

In the past I believe they were highly corrupt and eagerly awaiting people in my position so they could threaten them with the prohibitive 200% tax that we had, or to collect a small bribe in lieu..

Now the tax rate is down to 35% for used personal effects including some electronics. I'm wondering how they value the item to impose a tax on it. Is it arbitrary, or is there some prescribed method for valuation?

Do they generally harass returning Indians or are we welcome to bring whatever we like, with the rules being only a monument to the past? Or do they still expect a 'gift' to look the other way?

Any input from anyone who has gone through his recently much appreciated!

Personal items you have mentioned in your posting should not be of any concern, I have made many trips to Chennai, and I carry most of the items you have mentioned (except desktop). Items you have mentioned has become essential for business so they will not bother you unless you voluntarily provide information, so relax and just walk out through the green channel, if they ask you anything tell them that you will take everything back when you return.

Nick-H · Nov 9th, 2007, 04:43

They do x-ray your baggage. They do stop people bringing in a heap of electronics; they do even prosecute.

Nov 2nd, 2007, 18:34	#1
Earthling Noob Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gaia Posts: 94	Customs (tax) & Immigration - Chennai Are Customs and Immigration officers in Chennai strict about the baggage allowances for people transferring residence? I have some eletronics - Laptop, dekstop, SLR camera, phone, skype phone, and a whole bunch of other small items- that I'm bringing with me on my airplane. In the past I believe they were highly corrupt and eagerly awaiting people in my position so they could threaten them with the prohibitive 200% tax that we had, or to collect a small bribe in lieu.. Now the tax rate is down to 35% for used personal effects including some electronics. I'm wondering how they value the item to impose a tax on it. Is it arbitrary, or is there some prescribed method for valuation? Do they generally harass returning Indians or are we welcome to bring whatever we like, with the rules being only a monument to the past? Or do they still expect a 'gift' to look the other way? Any input from anyone who has gone through his recently much appreciated! __________________ I don't know with what weapons WW3 will be fought. But WW4 will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein

Nov 3rd, 2007, 00:25	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Worth getting an agent to deal with them. I paid £50 tax on a whole household of furniture and electronics. Some of the electronics was originally expensive, but all was fairly old. They probably don't examine any box anyway, but of course they choose the ones they do look at and the contents list should be correct or you could get into trouble. An agent knows how to deal with this stuff. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Nov 3rd, 2007, 09:16	#3
Earthling Noob Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gaia Posts: 94	GBP50! A steal! Are there agents to work with airline passengers? I thought the agents only work with containers... I don't have a container coming by sea, only what I'm carrying with me, but that alone is enough to attract a heavy tax. A lot of people have told me to simply walk through the 'green channel' and if stopped to insist that my items are for personal use (which they are). I'm not so sure of the legality of this method. I don't want to start my stay in India by breaking the law, granted everybody does it and nobody views it as 'breaking the law' only as 'working around the system'... This is so ridiculous. To have to pay 35% tax on a 3 year old laptop, and 4 year old desktop! I built the desktop myself, how could they possibly value it when the components are long out dated? I think I'll email Customs in Chennai. Wish me luck. The bureaucratc wrangling begins. The long hand of bureaucratic India touches me thousands of miles away!

Nov 3rd, 2007, 17:17	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	That's a tough one. I've just sent three cartons by "excess baggage" --- it really is old stuff, rubbish even (but stuff my wife wanted from my late mum's house), and I shall be upset if they charge me anything! You're probably right about the agent. Certainly if it is coming on the plane with you you are going to have to deal with it alone. They do take age into account, and have a table of depreciation, but I don't know wht it is like dealing with them.

Nov 9th, 2007, 04:43	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	They do x-ray your baggage. They do stop people bringing in a heap of electronics; they do even prosecute.

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