Mangaluru: Online customs guide for international passengers-an online web portal was launched here at NITB, Office of the Airport Director by Chief Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru RB Tiwari on Friday.Addressing the gathering Tiwari said that it is a web portal where every info regarding baggage rules is available to the passengers to check before they leave. “The electronic or digital media is need of the hour to reduce interface between passengers and the custom officers. Earlier there were complaints against custom officers over harassing the passengers. But today 89% of the passengers are happy with our officers. Today customs department is also on Twitter and facebook where once in 15 days we interact with the passengers,” he said adding that mobile app which is translated into Kannada Tamil Malayalam apart from Hindi and English is also offered by the office.

Airport director J T Radhakrishna said Mangalore airport, which once had only three flights, today handles 50 flights in a week and the growth has been significant. “Over 17 lakh passengers traveled in the year 2015-16. This portal will help passengers in a very big way,” he said.

Mangaluru chief commissioner of customs M Subramanyam was present.

The link below provides detailed information on Customs Procedure, Customs Declaration Form, Free Allowance and eligibility of various categories of goods brought by travellers.