Carriage of domestic Cargo in Air-India Flights.

Circular No. 15/99-Cus
dated 22/3/1999

F.No. 446/69/98-Cus. IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)
Central Board of Excise & Customs, New Delhi

Subject :  Carriage of domestic Cargo in Air-India Flights.

M/s Air-India has requested to carry domestic Cargo on International flights on the grounds that the majority of Air-India Flights originate at Mumbai and touch another Domestic point on its way to foreign airport.  It has ample capacity to uplift domestic Cargo between these two ports.  M/s Air India has also requested that to allow them to carry domestic Cargo in the domestic leg of the journey.

2. The Board has examined their proposal in consultation with various Commissioners of Customs and it has been decided to allow M/s Air India to carry domestic cargo between domestic airports on their International flights with the conditions that the container containing the Domestic and International cargo should be clearly distinguishable by appearance using different colours for covering materials, straps etc. & loading/unloading must be done under custom supervision.  In addition the following precautions may be taken:

1. A separate area will be earmarked in Cargo unit at the airport for acceptance and holding of such domestic cargo.

2. Domestic cargo will be accepted at the Export General Warehouse exclusively between 1030 and 1300 hours only.

3. Special domestic tags will be prepared for identification of the same with a separate colours coding.

4. Domestic Cargo will be loaded in separate hold on board the aircraft and it will not be mixed loaded with International Cargo.

5. Upon arrival of Cargo at the domestic Destination arrangement will be made to deliver the domestic Cargo separately.

These instructions may kindly be brought to the notice of all officers by way of issuing suitable standing orders. The difficulty if any, in implementation of this circular, may kindly be brought to the notice of the Board.