2 . Reading

Read the text and translate it using the dictionary

At the Customs House

The moment a traveller crosses the border their luggage is taken to the customs-house by porters. Every country has its own customs regulations, which stipulate what articles are liable to duty and what are duty-free.

Sometimes an article which falls under customs restrictions and is liable to duty is allowed in duty-free if the traveller does not exceed a certain fixed quota.

These are listed in a duty-free quota list. Customs restrictions also include a prohibited articles list. This is a list of items which may not be brought into a country or taken out of it. An official paper (from the proper authorities) giving permission to take items, which fall under special customs restrictions, in or out of a country is known as an import or export license.

If the traveller has any item which comes under customs restrictions he is asked to declare it. That is, he is asked to name the item, stating its value and other particulars. The declaration is made either orally or in writing on a special form.

The practice seems to vary in different countries. Upon payment of duty the traveller is given a receipt. As a rule personal effects are duty-free.

It sometimes happens that a passenger’s luggage is carefully gone through in order to prevent smuggling. The formalities at the customs-house usually take some time. Only after passing through the customs does one realize that their journey is drawing to an end (or beginning, as the case might be).

Answer the following questions:

1) What are the duties of a customs inspector?

2) What is the meaning of the question “Have you anything to declare” one hears at the customs-house so often?

3) What is the phrase “I have nothing to declare” mean?

4) Do customs restrictions vary in different countries? 5) Have you ever gone through a customs inspection? If so relate your experience.

6) What is a duty-free item?

7) What do we mean by saying that something is an item liable to duty?

8) Why is smuggling punishable by law?

9) What does the Customs Inspected stamp stand for?

10) Can you name some of the ‘personal effects” one usually takes along on a journey?

3. Reading

Read the text below. Match choices (A-E) to (1-4). There is one choice you do not need to use.

A. a general instruction about going through the Customs?

B. information about passing the border of a particular country?

C. information about the general purpose of the Customs?

D. a funny story?

E. information about corruption in Indian Customs?

1. A nation’s customs service has many responsibilities. At its most basic level, its purpose is to regulate what comes into and goes out of a country. The foremost element of this regulation is controlling international trade. To tilt the balance in favor of domestic businesses, governments impose tariffs, also called duty, on foreign goods coming into the country. In addition to encouraging domestic trade, duty also gives the nation a “piece of the action” when somebody buys something produced overseas. Customs agencies are often major sources of revenue for the government. Customs agencies also monitor what is being exported from a country.

2. After an overnight flight to meet my father at his latest military assignment, my mother wearily arrived at Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany with my eight siblings and me – all under age 11. Collecting our many suitcases, the ten of us entered the cramped customs area. A young customs official watched our entourage in disbelief, “Ma’am,” he said, “do all these children and this luggage belong to you?” “Yes, sir,” my mother said with a sigh, “they’re all mine.” The customs agent began his interrogation: “Ma’am, do you have any weapons, contraband or illegal drugs in your possession?” “Sir,” she calmly answered, “if I’d had any of those items, I would have used them by now.”

3. In the arrivals hall of the airport you will be requested to fill in a customs declaration form. Respecting the Ukrainian customs is advisable, because breaking customs regulations may result in divestment of your belongings, plus you might have to pay fines measuring in 100 to 300 percent of their cost. If you have more than $1500 in cash, you should go through the red “to declare” channel and get your customs form stamped by a customs officer (especially if you are intending to leave Ukraine with a large amount of cash). If not, then you may proceed through the green channel. However, in any case be sure to keep your customs declaration form as you may be asked for it when leaving the country.

4. After passing through Immigration Control, you will be able to collect your luggage. You must then pass through Customs Control. Go through the green channel if you have nothing to declare. Go through the red channel if you have goods to declare. Go through the blue channel if you have arrived from an airport within the EEA where your luggage has already been cleared through Customs Control. The notices in the customs area will tell you if you need to declare anything you have brought into the country. You can also check with one of the customs officers before passing through customs control. Even if you pass through the green channel the Customs Officer may ask you to open your luggage for checking.