Recent import through Bangalore Customs was little unpleasant . In-spite of giving all the legal document necessary for the customs to release there customs were not agreeing to release the same. Here is what I my understood from what happened.
1. Courier route through Bangalore is new and Customs ( one or two officers and not all ) has no clue on how to handle. For fedex it has been a new experience in bangalore and they did really well in explaining the Customs with all the process and paperwork.
2. Recent import has increased through Bangalore Port and different officers have different understanding.
3. When one of the officer asked for NOC, Sent email to fedex in detail about non requirement of NOC from Police with the evidence of recent imports and DGFT notifications and other supporting Letters.
4. When officer insisted for the same , Sent email to fedex in detail explaining what the Supreme Court Order says about the import of .177 .
5. Upon giving these details, Now the same customs officer started asking for original rifle club card to be sent .But there was no reply to take responsibility on the Safe return on Original Membership card.
6. Upon further discussion by fedex explaining the Process back to the officer in charge, the officer requested for a Affidavit from an advocate detailing your Idendity ( PAN Card ), your work location, your residential status and address , reason for import ( which is already stated in the Bonafide letter from Rifle Club )
7. When all such things were in process, Fedex tried to explain the same next day to another officer in charge on duty. And this time the Officer in Duty was able to understand everything that Fedex explained and he agreed that nothing was missing as far as the legal documents are concerned and every one followed the correct import process and who ever importing has every paper work done correctly as per the import requirement. Finally came to know through the fedex that the new officer on duty accepted the fact that NOT violating any legal requirement on import of .177 and released nearly 98% ( Percentage ) .177 airgun consignment on the same day.
Now its very much unclear why there is a partial understanding with in the same office , when some one can release it and other one don't ? The Process if its same for yesterday it should be the same for tomorrow unless otherwise there is a legal changes in import by the Govt. of India.
Its the officers who should know the Customs regulations and rules, and often it become like some public has to explain them what is the process. I don't say its a ignorance ....
Any way this is what I gone through . So the port of entry makes lot of difference with officers who are handling the case. Why customs don't follow the unique process when the Govt. Statement is clear with Supreme Court Order.
If customs need any letter from the consignee they need to articulate the same and give in writing to the Fedex about the further documents that they need to get the NOC or Affidavit or anything else. Without which any person cannot go simply to a police station or Advocate to ask for a letter. They ask for things that is not mandatory ..But some officers have their own WISH list.
Not sure about others experience.
Note: Fedex Bangalore now know what the process is and they did a good Job.
I thank Mr. Venkatesh ( Fedex Bangalore ) who is more knowledgable in this process , who helped the 98% of release on that day , runing up and down to customs officer explaining them in detail. He tried all his best in not only explaining them, but representing every individual who imported through Bangalore Port recently..
Rgds
David