Customs procedures for passengers with accompanied commercial goods |24 June 2011

Passengers are entitled duty free allowance on personal goods, that is good for personal use only of value up to R5000 for adult and R3000 for under 18 years old.  Accompanied commercial importation and goods exceeding the duty free allowance are liable to the applicable taxes, and should follow the appropriate Customs procedures related to such importation.

What are accompanied commercial importations by passengers?
Accompanied commercial importations are goods imported for commercial purpose that passengers bring as accompanied baggage. They are goods intended for commercial purposes.  The applicable taxes must be paid on those goods.

What are the constraints that customs face with accompanied commercial importation by passengers?
Customs encourage passengers to send their commercial goods by cargo whereby they will follow the normal procedures for the clearance of commercial goods whereby customs can enhance and facilitate quick cargo clearance.

The importers have to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted to customs to ensure a speedy clearance of goods.

Customs do not encourage commercial goods through airport terminal for the following reasons:
The airport terminal is designed and equipped to handle clearance of passengers and their accompanied luggage of a non-commercial nature. Every time that there are commercial importations going through the terminal puts excessive strain on existing resources and cause delay for passengers.

What are the responsibilities of passengers?
Passengers are reminded that they are not allowed to bring prohibited goods in the country. Restricted good must be accompanied by a valid import permit.

It is an offence to proceed to the green channel if you have accompanied commercial goods, taxable goods exceeding the passenger duty free allowance, prohibited and restricted goods.

Passengers are also reminded that duty free allowance are goods for personal use only, they are not goods intended for commercial purposes. 

A passenger who fails to make a proper declaration is committing an offence and this may lead to customs fines and penalties or confiscation of the goods.

Where to go for more information?
If you need further information or clarification on customs procedures for passengers with accompanied commercial goods, please visit any customs offices or contact us at this address: Seychelles Revenue Commission, PO Box 50, Orion Mall, Victoria, Tel 293737, email commissioner@ src.gov.sc.

Submitted by the Seychelles Revenue Commission