KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 8
Following widespread criticism, the Customs Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has clarified that passengers arriving from abroad and Nepali citizens living abroad are not prohibited from bringing or sending emergency lights, power banks, irons, hair dryers, mixers (grinders), and water machines, but are simply advised against it.
In a notice issued today, the TIA Customs Office has explained that it has only 'requested' air travellers not to bring or send such specific items due to the complications involved in their inspection process.
Recently, the Customs Office had issued a notice advising passengers and Nepali citizens abroad to refrain from carrying the aforementioned items, which often appear suspicious during X-ray screening, leading to the inconvenience of opening and inspecting them, and had advised against sending them via cargo services.
The office has emphasised that the process of sending and receiving valuable items such as gold, phones, laptops, watches, and more is not affected by these restrictions The notice has highlighted the challenges passengers face when prosecuted for bringing prohibited items, including the need to pay substantial fine, detention, and potential jail time.
"The customs office's primary goal is to ensure a smooth and hassle-free check-in process for the passengers," as per the notice.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 9, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
