Topic 13. The Work of a Customs Officer: Competence and Experience

аккуратно вынимать

багаж различается по весу и объему

билет соответствует заявленному маршруту поездки (кем)

билеты, заказанные в последний момент

билеты, приобретенные за наличные деньги

блок сигарет

вне пределов досягаемости (= чтобы пассажир не смог дотянуться)

втянуть в спор

граждане страны, возвращающиеся после отдыха за рубежом

заниматься противозаконным бизнесом

использовать как прикрытие

консервированные продукты

места сокрытия

определить к какой категории относятся пассажиры

определить стоимость вещи

отбирать предметы для более тщательного досмотра

отказываться сотрудничать

пассажиры, совершающие деловую поездку

повредить вещь

предоставить информацию о поездках, совершенных ранее (кем)

принимать меры предосторожности

расспросить кого-либо, чтобы убедиться в чем-либо

рентгеновские установки

технические средства досмотра багажа

туалетные принадлежности, средства личной гигиены

установить цель поездки пассажира

define

establish (x 2)

provide information

the ticket matches

late-booked

cash

passengers

residents

different amount

question somebody

be engaged

tinned

cigarrette

remove

take

out of

places

choose items

technical

damage

refuse

use

draw

X-ray

What’s the most important information to find out about a passenger?

To define the category of passengers and establish their reasons for travel.

How do customs officers establish a passenger’s reasons for travel?

By examining a passenger’s passport and ticket. A passport may provide information about a passenger’s previous and current journeys from drug production or suspect areas.

What information can a passenger’s ticket provide?

Whether the ticket matches the passenger’s journey and the method of payment. Late booked or cash tickets are often used by smugglers.

What are the major categories of passengers?

Passengers travelling on business and visitors or residents returning from holidays.

Is there any difference in dealing with these categories of passengers?

By all means, because they’re two totally different categories of passengers. They have different documents and different amount of baggage.

How do customs officers deal with passengers travelling on business?

When a passenger is travelling on business, a customs officer should examine his documents and question him in order to verify if the passenger is engaged in legitimate business. Businessmen are supposed to have contacts in their field of activity in this country.

How do customs officers deal with a visitor or a resident returning from holidays?

Passengers returning from holidays are expected to have heavy baggage. A passenger who returns from holidays and has only light baggage is suspicious. A customs officer looks for gifts, clothing, souveniers, which will link passengers to the baggage and reasons for travel.

What questions do customs officers ask passengers during baggage control?

The typical questions are: Is this all your baggage? Did you pack it yourself? Do you know what the baggage contains? Do you know what the Customs allowances are?

How do customs officers detect smugglers?

Criminals may use different stories as a cover to conceal smuggling of drugs internally. Customs officers should establish a traveller’s reason for travel. They should check if the passenger has correct baggage reclaim tags.

What places of concealment may smugglers use?

Goods, and in particular drugs, can be concealed within baggage and its contents in many different ways. Even such commonplace articles as tinned goods, toiletries or cigarette cartons shouldn’t be overlooked. Body concealments are especially difficult to detect.

What can make the examination of baggage more successful?

Customs officers should check both the container and the contents. The contents should be removed carefully and systematically.

What precautions should be taken when examining baggage?

Any items chosen for a more thorough check should be separated from the rest of the baggage and placed out of the passenger’s reach.

What technical equipment is used for baggage examination?

X-ray machines. They are used to examine articles within the baggage.

What precautions should be taken when using tools to examine contents?

A customs officer should be careful in order to minimize damage. If it’s necessary to damage an article, its value should be established before the examination.

How should a customs officer deal with the passengers who refuse to cooperate?

Checking baggage can be very stressful and nerve-racking. A customs officer should remain calm, however provoked, and avoid being drawn into arguments.