Been seeing a lot of cribs about Customs Duty.
Maybe the Customs guys are lining their pockets.
Maybe the RTO guys are lining their pockets.
Its illegal and has to be stopped.

But those who are under-invoicing imports, how are they different?
Or civilians who try to get stuff from Service Canteens as it is tax free?
Or Doctors who take cash and don't give a receipt?

Surely the customs tariff is legally mandated.
Like Income Tax it is supposed to be paid.
If we feel that the customs duty on hobby equipment is excessive, a body like AMAI hould lobby for reduction.

Till then, is it not our duty to pay the customs duty?
Or are we all tax chors?

Feedback requested from at least three Service Officers who i know are members of this forum.

I am not a service officer - but I will comment - as a person who has
frequent dealings with the dept of Customs and Central Excise.


I fully agree that it is our duty to pay customs duty as mandated by law - however
where most of us have a problem is - the arbitary and whimsical assesment by
officers , and the total lack of transperancy.

Also the interminable processing periods and the fact that the redressal mechanism is loaded heavily in their favour.

Iyer Sir, while it is duty and responsibility of all without exception to pay all taxes and duties, why should we rain down on the parade of Students and kids and their venting of steam, most of whom who are negotiating between a very tight budget. Customs any meager percentages are also going to pinch on them they are bound to crib. This hobby no longer is an exclusive domain of the rich and the famous, I don't think you will find any of the older lot and veterans with means and those who are informed and who know their way around complaining on this aspect.

I have never once had an instance of Customs overtly delaying or over charging in my entire short duration in this hobby. I have always found customs guys which ever entry point the most reasonable. It was always legitimate query and when responded timely cleared with legitimate customs duty.  Mostly cleared timely without even query with legitimate customs duty (Which is mostly nil customs being small international registered posts). While that's more so because never once ordered anything prohibited or if large order all at once been ready upfront to pay the legitimate Customs.

Just not comfortable about members suggesting underinvoicing, that's all.
You'll agree that much of the talk is about how to circumvent customs.

Customs is today very much aware of the under invoicing aspect sir  . Its for those under invoiced orders the charged customs must be appearing exorbitant.

Customs are still reasonable and lenient not applying Penal Charges for criminal non disclosure.

One solution of course is to preferentially patronize the LHS. If you pay full Customs Duty, there is not too much difference in pricing.

The only reason I do import sometimes is the LHS do not always have stock of the items I want. Again, this is a Catch 22 situation - if more people patronize the LHS their stock range will improve.

And, you do get fast deliveries, warranties and generally peace of mind

I do not agree with the concept of customs duty in the first place.
- If it's about economics and protecting the local market from competitors, how does it apply to goods that are not manufactured/available domestically? Patronizing LHS and local manufactures is important here; most LHS themselves are importing (and likely paying custom duties).
- if its about increasing the state revenue, sir your thought equally applies to income tax, sales tax, service tax, VAT and all taxes that we bear in any form, we should all have our CTCs and sources of income restructured as well.
- if its about something else, there has to be an alternate thought in favour of the not so privileged to withhold the democratic balance

Governments have redefined the Robin Hood Concept - Rob from the Rich, don't give to the Poor, keep it for Numero Uno

That's one for the books   

LOL I agree with Sundaram Sir. LOL
Regards,
Aman.