Going through the Customs

2. Remember the words:

difference – разница

formality – формальность

to go through – приходить

customs – таможня

a customs declaration – таможенная декларация

to declare – заявить, объявить

spirits/ alcohol – спиртное/ алкоголь

tobacco – табак, табачные изделия

valuables – ценности

a check-in counter – стойка регистрации

to weigh – весить, взвешивать

weigh – вес

the baggage room(Am)=the carryon luggage – багаж, который берут в салон

a luggage (baggage) claim-check – талон для получения багажа

(to) label – бирка, ярлык; навесить бирку

insert – вложить, вклеить

to board a (plane) – сесть на (самолет)

boarding pass – посадочный талон

extra – дополнительный

an immigration form – иммиграционный бланк

block letters – печатные буквы

a security check – проверка безопасности

hijack (highjack) – угонять

measure – мера(веса); мера(мероприятие)

to hand – вручить, сдать

crew – экипаж, команда

to reach – достичь, добраться

destination – место назначения

departure lounge – зал ожидания

duty-free – не подлежащий таможенному обложению

announcement – объявление

drug – лекарство, наркотик

smuggler – контрабандист

invitation – приглашение

to smuggle smth – провозить что-либо контрабандой

The rules for passengers who are going abroad are similar in most countries, but sometimes there might be difference in formalities.

If you are supposed, to begin with going through the customs, you’d better fill in the customs declaration before you talk to the customs officer. A customs officer may ask any passenger routine questions, for instance “Have you got anything to declare?” or “Any spirits, tobacco, presents? The usual answer would be, “Yes, I’ve got some valuables, but I’ve put them all down in the declaration”, or “I’ve got two blocks of cigarettes for my own use” or something of that kind.

Then you go to the check-in counter where your ticket is loaded at, your things are weighed and labeled, a claim-check for each piece of luggage is inserted in the ticket and you are given a boarding pass, which has a seat number on it. If your luggage weighs more than 20kgs, you have to pay extra. The next formality is filling in the immigration form and going through passport control. The form has to be filled in block letters. You write your name, nationality, permanent address and the purpose of your trip. In most countries there is also a security check when your carry-on luggage is inspected. This is anti-hijacking measure, and anything that might be dangerous or disturbing to other passengers must be handed to one of the crew and only returned to the owner after the plane has reached its destination.

After fulfilling all these formalities you go to the departure lounge where you can have a snack, read a paper, buy something in the duty-free shop and wait for the announcement to board the plane.

Some of these formalities are repeated when you arrive at your destination. The customs declaration and the immigration from are often filled in on board the plane. At the airport you may be met by a specially trained dog who will make sure that you are not carrying drugs, and the immigration officer might want to know at whose invitation you are coming and whether you a return ticket.

13. Answer the following questions:

1) Are there any differences in formalities for passengers who are going abroad in different countries?

2) What must you fill in before going through the customs?

3) Can the customs officer ask you to open your suitcases?

4) What questions can you listen to the customs?

5) What ere you supposed to write in the immigration form?

6) What things might be carried through the customs?

7) What letters can you use filling in the immigration form?

8) What formalities do you go through at the check-in counter?

9) Do you think a security check is a necessary measure? Why?

10) What can passengers do in the departure lounge?

11) Why are specially trained dogs used at airports?

14. Act the dialogue:

1) Customer officer: - Is this your suit-case, sir?

Passenger: - Yes, that’s right. Shall I open it?

C.o.: - Do, please. Have you got anything to declare?

P.: - No, I don’t thing so. I’ve got some cigarettes for my own use.

C.o.: - How many packets?

P.: Only three packets. I think they are duty free.

C.o.: - Yes, of course. Have you got any things liable to duty?

P.: - No, I haven’t.

C.o.: - Thank you, sir.

P.: - Thank you.

2) C.o.: - Will you put all your carry-on luggage on the belt, sir?

P.: - O.K.

C.o.: - Now go through here. Are you wearing any metal, sir?

P.: - Metal? Yes, this watch.

C.o.: Please, take it off and step through here again. Now it’s O.K. Thank you. Here’s your watch. Have good flight.

P.: - Thanks.

3) – Your passport, please. How long are you planning o stay in the country?

– Three weeks. Could I prolong my entrance visa in case of necessity?

– Sure. The reserving party will take care of it. Well, bags on the table and your customs-form, please?

– How much does it weigh?

– 23 kilos. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to pay an excess baggage charge (excessive weigh).

– Yes, sir… that’s ₤6… Thank you. Have you anything to declare?

– What?

– Alcohol, cigarettes, fresh fruit, plants?

– Oh, no. Only for personal needs.

– Open your suitcase, please. Any gifts?

– Only one bottle of vodka.

– All right. It is duty free. As you probably known, it is forbidden to bring more than 2 bottles of alcohol and 2 blocks of cigarettes to England. And no limitations as to currency. Here is your form.

– Thank you.

– Not at all. The next please.

15. Fill in the missing remarks:

1) – Have you any other baggage? – …

2) – What is in this briefcase? – …

3) – How much duty must I pay? – …

4) – …? – I have only things for personal use.

5) – …? – I have with me a block of cigarettes and two bottles of whisky.

6) – …? – I have only souvenirs and presents.