1. On the Plane - The Customs Declaration Form

(Announcement)

Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon be distributing Immigration Forms and Customs Declaration Forms. Please fill them out and ask the cabin attendants if you require any help.

Santos: What does "Occupation" mean on this Immigration Form?

Cruz: It means the kind of business we are in. I guess we can write "seaman."

Santos: OK.

Cruz: I brought 400 Lucky Strike cigarettes and 200 Seven Stars cigarettes with me. I wonder if I have to declare them.

Santos: I'm not sure. Let's ask the cabin attendant. Excuse me, may we ask you a question?

CA: Sure.

Cruz: I brought a total of 600 cigarettes with me. Do I have to pay tax on them? CA: Tax exemption for non-Japanese citizens is up to 400 Japanese cigarettes and 400 non-Japanese ones.

Cruz: I see. I have 400 non-Japanese cigarettes and 200 Japanese ones, so I don't have to pay any tax, right?

CA: That's right. You don't have to declare them on the Declaration Form.

Santos: I brought a camera with me. Should I declare it?

CA: If your camera is new and its price is over Ґ10,000, then it is a taxable item. But if you do not have any other article worth more than Ґ10,000, then a camera is taxable only if it cost you more than Ґ20,000.

Santos: My camera isn't new.

CA: OK. Then you don't need to declare it as long as it clearly looks used.

Santos: I see. Thank you for your help.

Cruz: Yes, thanks a lot.

CA: You're welcome.

Immigration Form: personal information required before entering a country Customs Declaration Form: information about the items you are carrying when entering a country cabin attendant(s): flight (or ship or train) crew who takes care of the passengers occupation: job, profession, line of work declare: officially announce ^declaration: official announcement tax exemption: not required to pay tax ->to exempt.. ..from = to free a person from obligation taxable: will be required to pay tax

2. Talking with Other Passengers

Cruz: I'm bored with the scenery. All 1 can see are clouds. (Pointing at a mountain) Wow! Look! That must be Mt. Fuji! It's exactly like in the picture 1 saw.

Santos: It's really beautiful! Is the white stuff on top snow?

Pass. : Yes, it's snow. You're lucky to see it so clearly. It's quite beautiful. Is this your first time in Japan?

Cruz: No, it's our second time, but we didn't see Mt. Fuji last time. We're really lucky this time.

Pass. : Are you both here on business?

Cruz: No, we're seamen. A Japanese company hired us, and we're going to board a ship in Mizushima.

Pass. : You're seamen? It's the first time I've ever met any seamen. Nice to meet you. Working at sea seems like a tough job. Where are you from?

Santos: I'm from Manila in the Philippines.

Pass. : I've never been to Manila, but I saw on TV that it's quite a modem city.

Cruz: It sure is. Is Mt. Fuji covered with snow throughout the year?

Pass. : No, it isn't. During the summer months, from June to August, the snow is gone completely. After that, it is the fall season until the end of November. During the winter, from November to around April, Mt. Fuji is covered with snow.

Cruz: I see.

Pass.: Well, enjoy your view and have a good trip.

Pass.: Passenger, a person traveling on e.g. a boat or train scenery: the view of the landscape Mt. Fuji: also called Fuji-san. the highest mountain in Japan and often the symbol of the country first time in... : the first experience or the first visit to the place in question going to board a ship: going to ride on a ship -> go on board =to get on a train, plane, or boa! throughout the year: all through the year, always, January through December completely: fully. 100%, to the fullest extent, all the way have a good trip: enjoy your trip