'Nod for air cargo complex soon'

Steps being taken to get CBEC approval: Customs Commissioner

 The customs can operate the air cargo complex once it receives approval from the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). "We are taking steps to ensure that CBEC grants approval for air cargo complex at Manglaore airport and the appointment of customs airport at the earliest," said Commissioner of Customs D Purushotham.

He was speaking on 'Promotion of Air Cargo Complex at Mangalore Airport at Bajpe' at Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday.

Submitting a memorandum to the Commissioner, KCCI President Mohammed Ameen said that, "Having an Air Cargo Complex at Mangalore Airport is a long pending demand of the people/trade bodies in the region. We have been demanding for this facility since 1998.

The Airports authority of India has arranged the necessary infrastructure and is awaiting the notification by the CBEC clearing it as Customs Airport," he said.He also complained that the exim trade is using Bangalore, Mumbai and Calicut Airports for their imports and exports. "This causes undue delay in hauling cargo to those Airports and perishable cargoes get damaged," he said and requested Mangalore to be declared as a Customs Airport before the commencement of Kannur International Airport.

A presentation on 'Passenger facilitation at International Airports' was also held. The audience were given information on baggage rules applicable for import of accompanied baggage on arrival and baggage rules applicable on departure.