Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
227-B, North Block,
New Delhi -110001.
Circular No. 51/2011-Customs
11th November, 2011.
To,
All Chief Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.).
All Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.).
All Commissioners of Customs (Appeals).
All Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise (Appeals).
All Directors General under CBEC.
Subject: Location of Foreign Exchange Counters at International airports
-regarding
Sir / Madam,
References have been received in the Board from field formations seeking
clarification on the issue of location of Foreign Exchange Counters in departure
/ arrival hall of international airports.
- It is reported that, Foreign Exchange Counters located after immigration and
before Customs (green / red channel) in the arrival hall and after Customs in
the departure hall, are posing problems in enforcement of FEMA regulations / RBI
guidelines in regard to import and export of Indian Currency by Indian resident
passengers as well as well as non resident passengers / foreign tourists.
- The matter has been examined in consultation with RBI. RBI vide letter
No.
RBI/2011-12/234, [A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 38] dated Oct 25, 2011, in
respect of Foreign Exchange Counters (full-fledged branches / extension
counters) opened by Authorised Dealer Category-I banks, Authorised Category-II
and Full Fledged Money Changers beyond the Domestic Tariff Area in international
airports in India, has clarified that:
- Foreign Exchange Counters in the arrival halls in international airports in
India shall ideally be established after the Customs Desk (Green Channel/Red
Channel). However, Foreign Exchange Counters may also be established between the
Immigration Desk and the Customs Desk in international airports in India,
subject to the condition that these counters shall only purchase Foreign
currency and sell Indian Rupees (INR) and ‘Encashment Certificates’, shall
invariably be issued by the money changers to the customers.
- Similarly, Foreign Exchange Counters in the departure halls in international
airports in India shall be established only before the Customs Desk or the
Immigration Desk, whichever comes first. Putting up suitable display at these
counters, reminding the passengers that the area is the last point for
non-residents to possess Indian Rupees (INR) may be followed up with the Airport
Authorities.
- The Foreign Exchange Counters of Authorised Dealers Category-I banks,
Authorised Dealers Category-II and Full Fledged Money Changers, not conforming
to the above, should be relocated in accordance with the above instructions,
latest by 31.12. 2011.
- All Commissioners in charge of International airports are directed to ensure
that the directions contained in the said Circular are complied with
scrupulously.
- Wide publicity may be given to the above directions of the RBI for compliance
by all concerned.
Yours faithfully
(R. P. Singh)
Director (Customs)
F.No.520/25/2008-Cus.VI (pt.)