Chinese Toy, Gold Smugglers in Crosshairs of Central Govt

Import carriers posing as regular tourists often smuggle in goods beyond permissible limits

- Dhirendra Kumar

The government is working on a strategy to dismantle a sophisticated, illicit network of so-called 'import carriers' at India's bustling airports and seaports, according to two people aware of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Import carriers—who may masquerade as regular Indian tourists going abroad, or may even have special privileges—smuggle in goods beyond permissible limits or which may be banned in the country. They smuggle in items like gold, toys and electronics, bypassing customs checks, and pass the goods on to other entities for commercial use.

To curb this practice, the commerce ministry plans to ask the finance ministry to direct the CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) to update baggage rules in the Customs Act, without causing any inconvenience to regular passengers, the people cited above said.