Is Customs at Ahmedabad Airport bad? It depends; on your expectations of how it will go. Prepare for the worst and you will roll through without any problems. If you expect it to go as easy as the US customs then you will be disappointed.
I went to Ahmedabad from USA twice in the last year. I flew Air-India both times. Before I landed, I geared up my mind to expect the worst behavior from the staff at the airport. To my surprise, I found less haggling with the customs proceedings now than before. It may have to do with the time my plane reached the airport. Both times, I landed at 3 o’clock at night and got my customs done between 4 and 5 in the morning. If you are flying Air-India, then your plane might also land at the Ahmedabad airport at 3 o'clock at the night. The airport staff must have been tired by then.
After landing, they put us on a bus and the bus drove us to the “terminal”. The bags started to twirl on the tiny belt in a few minutes. I took my belongings and went to the x-ray machine to get them checked. There was an employee of the airport who was putting the luggage from the cart into the x-ray machine for the passengers. He wanted to get some money from me. I said no. He came back to load my trolley again once my luggage came through the x-ray machine. He again pleaded with me for some money. I told him that I do not have any rupees. He insisted for a few dollars. I just rolled out of the airport with my trolley ignoring him. That’s it. It was easy.
What was your experience at Ahmedabad airport? Did you fly Air-India when you went to Ahmedabad? Tell me about it by adding a comment below.
It appears that in 2007 the customs harassment incidents have picked up.
ReplyDeleteHere is some factors with AAI custom employees working at AMD airport.
- Most from Delhi area
- The Manager in charge not local
- The state government has very little say in AAI operations
- Travellers are willing to put up with harassment
I landed 3 days ago and had the worst experiance of my life. We flew air india from london. Changed planes at mumbai. Pur flight left 2 hours late from mumbai. After landing at Ahemdabad airport we cpllected our bags however my sons pushchair and 1 bag was missing. we were told the plane was too full so our thing were still in mubai. we were told to come back the next day and look in a corner (there were many unclaimed bags and pushchaires dumped in a corner next to the duty free shop!!) our bags were scaned and they pulled 3 to the side to check. inside one of the bags, there was one clear plastic bag containing wedding jewelery for 3 females. We were told to pay duty on the gold as it is government rules. they harrasssed us until we paid. after doing research it transpires that you only pay duty on gold bars, coins and bullion!!! where do i compkain?
ReplyDeleteDo you know if they harass people now at the Ahmedabad international airport (during customs) for jewelery that you are wearing or is it just for jewelery you are carrying with you in the checked baggage or carry-on bag?
ReplyDeleteAnybody please let me know as follow.
ReplyDeleteI'm flying india next week with 40 inch sony lcd from london to ahmedabad via delhi by air india. And lcd price is 340 pounds around 23000 Indian ruppes. so please let me know what kind of problems will i get at Ahmedabad airport regarding customs duty etc. and if i have to pay how much i have to pay. i have my original invoice for the lcd showing price 339.99 pounds. please let me know asap. thanks in advance guys...
Customs at the Ahmedabad is misleading and try to get money out of you for nothing. I was carrying some Gold for my wife and it was less then 100 grams. One of the guy from the customs told me that as I was travelling twice in last 6 months I had to pay 24000 rupees duty on it, I was very disappointed. I did mentioned them that this was a gift for my wife and I had no intentions to make money on it, but they still insisted that I was entitled for the duty. Another officer came and understood my case, he then told me that at this instance he will let me go, but please do something as per your wish ( he wanted me to bribe them with some money ) and other 2 officers were scared to take the bribe and let me go without any duty or bribe. I did some investigations on the rules and came to know that the officers were messing up with me, if you carry gold more then 10kg then you have to pay the duty. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE ACTIONS AGAINST THE AHMEDABAD CUSTOMS to let visitors have good experience rather then a bad one.
ReplyDeleteARE YOU SUE 10 KG IS ALLOWED GOLD?
Deletehere the link on Indian customs
Deletehttp://www.cbec.gov.in/travellers.htm
I am travelling to ahmedabad in the month of August 2012 and want to carry 70 Gms of Gold Bar for personal use. I am NRE and going back after seven month. What procedure should I follow? Is there any goverment agencies who can send me the authontic procedure (RULE) so I can show it to custom oficer if he demand some thing else?
ReplyDeletePlease reply
here the link on Indian customs
Deletehttp://www.cbec.gov.in/travellers.htm
My friend is bringing a 42" led 3D TV from Bahrain for me.. he will land on Ahmedabad. What all custom harrasments and charges are expected
ReplyDelete? the TV is worth 40K