Less queues to declare dutiable goods at Delhi airport

New Delhi: Flyers bringing in dutiable goods including televisions and electronic gadgets will not have to   stand in long queues to get them cleared from now. Customs authorities have introduced an electronic system to calculate duty on any goods and material, other then free   allowances, being brought by them to India at Indira Gandhi   International Airport (IGIA) here, official sources said. Earlier, the calculation of duty on goods was being done  manually at the airport.The system-Systematic Keeper of Receipts will keep a   record of items being brought by a passenger into the country  without any human intervention. The time in calculation of   duty on goods by the new system installed at red channel will be one-tenth as compared to the old practice, they said.  

A passenger had to spend on an average at least 20 minutes for getting duty calculated on the goods brought by   him. This was in addition to time spent in standing in queues. During rush hour, passengers had to stand in queues for   hours. According to rules, a passenger is supposed to declare  dutiable goods at red channel at the airport. Those not having   any dutiable goods are supposed to hand over the mandatory   customs declaration form by an international passenger at the  green channel. The new system is pre-fed with duties leviable on items  brought by the passengers and has ended any scope of   discretion by any officers.  

"Earlier, there were instances where different amount of duty was being levied on the same item. The system will do   away with all such instances," an official said. A passenger can now go to red channel and get a baggage receipt for a bank, where duty amount need to be deposited, instantly. His passport and boarding card details along with   the dutiable goods brought by him will be recorded within five   minutes, the sources said.