The Customs Department intends to introduce new rules regarding the wearing and carrying of gold jewellery by people traveling abroad, after a gold smuggling racket was detected in Kochi, said a Customs Dept. spokesman.

People who take jewellery on a “bring back basis” would be allowed to take no more than the equivalent of 15 sovereigns, Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini told Daily Mirror.

“Rough jewellery will not be allowed,” he said.

The decision was taken today at a meeting following the arrest of 56 Sri Lankans with gold in Kochi -- which the Indian authorities alleged was part of a smuggling racket.

“According to Sri Lankan law, the Customs cannot arrest or question a person who wears jewellery. That is a violation of human rights,” he said.

He said the Customs would also introduce a new form in which passengers would have to declare the gold jewellery they take out with them.
Passengers would have to explain if they have more jewellery on their return, he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep-DM Online)