7. Getting through the customs

Every day many people travel throughout the world either on business or for pleasure. Those who cross the frontier of the state have to go through the customs.

This what one should know when going abroad:

1) Every country has its own customs legislation, and you are supposed to learn the rules of leaving and entering the foreign state. You should first know what is allowed or prohibited to be brought in or taken out. Before packing your luggage consult the prohibited articles list, which is available at the customs.

2) Among the articles prohibited for taking out of the country in accordance with customs legislation of all states you will find works of art, different types of prints, manuscripts, valuable musical instruments, cancelled securities, numismatics, stamps and other articles of artistic, historical and cultural value.

3) The list of prohibited commodities both for bringing in and for taking out also includes arms, explosives, military equipment and drugs.

4) There can be articles liable to duty and duty free. As a rule, personal belongings, gifts and souvenirs are duty free. However, the cost of gifts and souvenirs must not exceed a certain limit stipulated by the customs regulations.

5) Money not declared and therefore concealed from the customs control is liable to confiscation as smuggling. Prohibited or restricted articles though declared are usually detained, and the traveler can collect them on his way back.

Task I. Enumerate:

1. articles that are not allowed for taking out of the country in accordance with customs legislation;

2. commodities that are prohibited for bringing in and taking out;

3. duty free articles.

Task II. Match the English phrases and their translation.

Customs legislation	Аннулированные ценные бумаги
to be allowed	задерживаться
cancelled securities	предметы художественной ценности
articles of artistic value	различные виды гравюр
smuggling	контрабанда
to be prohibited	вывозить
available at the customs	таможенное законодательство
to bring in	разрешается
a prohibited articles list	список товаров, запрещенных к вывозу (ввозу)
commodities	предметы, ограниченные для вывоза (ввоза)
to take out	запрещается
different types of prints	имеющийся в наличии в таможне
liable to duty	не облагаемый таможенной пошлиной
restricted articles	товар
to be detained	ввозить
duty free	подлежащий обложению таможенной пошлиной

Task III. Make up a dialogue. You need some information about the things taken out. Ask a customs officer:

1. if personal computers are duty free;

2. how much money are you allowed to have;

3. if albums with St. Petersburg sights are liable to duty;

4. how many bottles of alcohol you may take with you;

5. Where you can get a customs declaration form.

Two types of declaration. Visa.

When you enter or leave the country, you must fill in an entry or exit declaration, which is to be produced to the customs officer. You are to write your name, citizenship, country of residence, permanent address, purpose and duration of your visit in block letters. You must also declare all dutiable articles.

To make a trip to most countries every traveler must have a visa, single, multiple or transit, which is issued by the foreign Embassy or Consulate. The visa may be prolonged in case of necessity, but the time for which it is valid must not expire, otherwise the traveler will not be allowed to leave the country. The overseas passport is also necessary. All papers are carefully studied by the customs officer.

Task I. Answer the questions.

1. What items are included in a declaration form?

2. What things must be declared? And how about currency?

3. What other papers does a traveler need for visiting a foreign country?

4 What kinds of visa can be issued? Who do you think can get a multiple visa?

5. Can the visa be prolonged?