Customs Wing of Taxes.

The new outlook of the Customs Wing.


Customs-all over the World, is considered unique, due to its position, the role it plays at the
borders, and ports of entry, and the authority to inspect exports and imports, and charge
appropriate duties. Although the traditional role of the Customs administration is revenue-collection,
customs operations are rapidly evolving to include trade-facility, combating commercial fraud,shady
deals, international links of crime etc. Invariably the shady deals lead to fraud which is often linked
to organized crime practiced in a variety of ways to include revenue and fiscal evasion, through false
declaration, misuse of exemptions and even money laundering.

Some do not like to pay readily and willingly. Some are out to cheat by smuggling, under-invoicing,
over-invoicing as the case be. Domestic and international trade over the years has significantly
increased the volume of export and import of goods of our country. This has led to increased
opportunities to increase revenue to the exchequer. It has increased responsibilities of Customs.
These additional responsibilities on the Customs wing has increased their volume of
duties, alertness, ,compilation of information and over and above a very vigilant eye at all times.
This is especially true in the country's present circumstances when it is passing through an acid
test of its economic-progress. It is now a challenge for the Customs wing to save every rupee and
strengthen the hands of the Government in light of the fact that India is a candidate for Super-
Power in the next coming years.

In our Country, and indeed, in many other countries also, the mere mention of the word Customs
and Customs operations evokes images of corruption, graft, greed, bureaucracy, to the extent
that, even commercial fraud is attributed erroneously to Customs officials in the minds of
general public. There are certain notorious elements in the business circle who are the prime
perpetrators of commercial fraud. There are some traders, travelers even in some isolated cases
offences were perpetrated with the connivance of port-authority police or the customs officials.
We have to attempt to improve our image at large in the eyes of the public and change the world
opinion about us. All know that maintaining free and fast flow of goods and traffic and at
the same time observe to apply controls checks and counter-checks for safeguard of revenue and
security is not an easy task. Happily we have been moving towards a developed framework of a
standard to secure and facilitate global trade from the country-of-origin to the country-of-
consignment. These standards do promote customs-to customs networking, and customs
to business partnership. It includes use of pre-arrival information, application of risk management
automated systems and the establishment of effective consultative relationship with customs
trading counterparts and other stake-holders and providing a dispute settlement system in
customs related matters especially valuation and capacity building. It will provide the Customs
sleuths to deliberate and develop new strategies and instruments to provide support with new
instruments. The new crop of Customs Officers have endeared themselves to the public by their
efficiency friendliness and firmness with which they have performed their duties at International
Airports. Foreigners who came into contact with them have recognized this. The approach is now
shifting from exclusive movement control to more audit-based controls.

India is a continent with one billion of its population. It is a peninsula. Our land borders touch many
neighborly countries. We have a very large sea-coast. India is susceptible to anything and
everything, and any type of mischief at the hands of unscrupulous elements is possible.
We have to guard our borders which runs into thousands of miles. Punctuality, devotion and the
spirit for a kill (not that we have to actually kill anyone in the course of duty); that do-or die spirit,
are pre-requisites of a dedicated sleuth of customs. It is learnt reliably that chaos happens at the
the end of a shift-duty. The out-going staff is in a hurry to leave; the incoming leisurely lot is not
mentally ready to take over. It is said a wise cop always reports five minutes early than his
scheduled duty time. Similarly he leaves five minutes late after end of his duty shift. Everything
can happen in that small period which can make your life, or ruin your life. The under-world has
deeply studied the methods and practices and they have a list of your minutest details of your likes,
your weakness etc. The officers have to be watchful in the areas which include vigilant eye
against drug-trafficking counterfeiting, piracy, money-laundering and terrorism.