The system of red and green channels
EFFECTIVE PASSENGER AND BAGGAGE CONTROL
Text
The dual-channel system was introduced at international airports to deal efficiently with the increasing number of passengers without reducing the effectiveness of the Customs control.
The system allows the passengers to choose between two types of channels:
- if the passenger is carrying nothing more than the allowances; no prohibited or restricted goods; no goods for commercial purposes, he may go through the Green channel indicated by the words “Nothing to declare”;
- if the passenger is carrying more than the allowances; some prohibited or restricted goods, or some goods for commercial purposes he must go through the Red channel indicated by the words “Goods to declare”.
In the European Union (EU) there is also a Blue channel for travelers from other European Union countries. As the EU is a customs union, travelers between EU countries don’t have to pay customs duties. The USA and Canada do not operate the dual-channel system.
Passengers should be well-informed about the functioning of the system i.e. about the descriptions and quantities of the goods that they may have with them when using the Green channel. This can be done by means of posters and panels at the airport or leaflets, distributed through tourist agencies or airlines.
Passengers who go through the Red channel complete customs formalities: they fill in the customs declaration form, present their baggage for inspection, pay the duties and taxes chargeable.
In the green channel passengers do not complete customs formalities, but they may be the subject of a spot check that customs officers exercise to prevent violations.
* * *
Dealing with any passenger the customs officer should first establish reasons for travel, examinepassport and ticket to ascertain method of payment or previous journeys to drug production areas.
During practical examination the customs officer should link the passenger to his baggage and reasons for travel. For example, passengers traveling on business must have documents related to up-to-date transactions.
To facilitate the search customs officers should use tools and technologies at their disposal. Checking baggage for concealments customs officers should be careful to minimize the damage.
At all times customs officers must act with diplomacy, and be competent, firm and fair.
Working on the text
Ex. 1 Read and translate the text.
Ex. 2 a) Mark the stress in the Russian words and compare it with the English words. Tick the pairs of words with different stressed syllables.
effectiveness эффективность
indicator индикатор
panel панель
tourist турист
formalities формальности
inspection инспекция
practical практический
technology технология
diplomat дипломат
diplomacy дипломатия
b) Read the English words again.
Ex. 3 Find in the text the English equivalents of the following:
система двойного канала; возрастающее количество пассажиров; запрещенные и ограниченные товары; товары для коммерческих целей; обозначенный словами; с помощью плакатов и листовок; распространяемые через туристические агентства; выполнять формальности; объект выборочной проверки; цель поездки; технические средства; ущерб
Ex.4 Match
to introduce
the channel
to distribute the system
to choose leaflets
to inform the search
to use formalities
to complete documents
to facilitate passengers
to pay technology
to minimize the duty
to check damage
Ex. 5 a) Find words in the text formed from the following verbs and translate them into Russian:
| verb | verb - ed |
| restrict prohibit indicate inform distribute relate | restricted / ограниченный |
b) Complete the sentences with the words from the box:
1. The sale of alcohol is __________ to people over the age of 18.
2. The report is devoted to the problem of drug abuse and other _________ issues.
3. Please keep me fully __________ of the details of the investigation.
4. Smoking is strictly __________ on board the plane.
5. The Lists of __________ and __________ articles are __________ at the airport.
Ex.6 Translate the following phrases into Russian:
- to deal efficiently;
- without reducing the effectiveness;
- the system allows the passengers;
- “Nothing to declare”;
- “Goods to declare”;
- the functioning of the system;
- descriptions and quantities;
- drug production areas;
- to link the passenger’s baggage to the reason for travel;
- up-to-date transactions;
- to facilitate the search;
- to minimize damage;
- to act with diplomacy
Ex. 7 Put P if the action refers to the passenger, put C if the action refers to the customs officer.
- to deal efficiently __C___
- to choose the channel ___P__
- to go through _____
- to carry goods _____
- to search for concealments _____
- to complete formalities _____
- to establish the system _____
- to ascertain the method of payment _____
- to facilitate the search _____
- to exercise spot checks _____
- to break regulations _____
- to use tools _____
Ex. 8 Answer the questions:
1. Where was the dual-channel system introduced?
2. Why do they use the dual-channel system?
3. Who can go through the Green channel?
4. Who must go through the Red channel?
5. How are the channels indicated?
6. What should passengers be informed about?
7. What can be done to inform the passengers?
8. What do passengers in the Red channel do to pass through customs control?
9. Do passengers in the Green channel complete formalities?
10. Why do customs officers exercise spot checks?
* * *
11. Why do customs officers examine passengers’ tickets?
12. What is most important during practical examination?
13. What can facilitate the search?
Ex. 9 Complete the sentences:
1. The dual channel system was introduced because . . .
2. They will go through the Green channel because . . .
3. I must go through the Red channel because . . .
4. This is the leaflet which will inform you about . . .
5. To inform the passengers about the functioning of the system we should . . .
6. In the Red channel passengers have to . . .
7. In the Green channel customs officers can . . .
8. Customs officers exercise spot checks to …
9. Checking passengers and their luggage customs officers should . . .
10. Customs officers use tools and technologies to . . .
11. He is a good customs officer because . . .
Ex. 10Put the actions in the correct order for the arriving passengers
1. In the BAGGAGE HALL there are several carousels and monitors above them showing your flight number.
2. After you have passed through PASSPORT CONTROL, follow the signs to the BAGGAGE HALL.
3. At PASSPORT CONTROL there are two often counters: one for citizens of the country, the other for non-citizens. The immigration officer will check your passport and put a stamp in your passport.
4. After CUSTOMS CONTROL look for the exit. If someone is meeting you they will be waiting in the ARRIVAL LOUNGE.
5. Collect your luggage and look for the sign CUSTOMS. In most countries the signs are red for “Goods to declare” and green for “Nothing to declare”.
6. As soon as you leave the plane, follow the signs to PASSPORT CONTROL. At international airports these signs are usually in English as well as the local language.
Ex. 11 Translate the sentences from Russian into English:
1. Вы уже внедрили систему двойных каналов в вашем аэропорту?
2. Количество пассажиров, путешествующих за границу, постоянно возрастает.
3. Новые технологии помогают повысить эффективность таможенного досмотра.
4. Если вы не везете товары сверх установленных норм, вам не придется выполнять таможенные формальности.
5. Когда пассажиры везут товары для коммерческих целей, они декларируют их и платят пошлину.
6. Наше туристическое агентство всегда информирует туристов о наименованиях и количестве товаров, которые можно провозить беспошлинно.
7. Во время проведения выборочной проверки таможенники останавливают пассажиров в зеленом канале и просят предъявить багаж для досмотра.
8. Инспектор проверил паспорт и билет пассажира и спросил о цели его поездки.
9. Чтобы облегчить процедуру досмотра и обнаружения сокрытых товаров, таможенники применяют различные приспособления и технические средства.
Ex. 12 Get ready to speak on the topic.
Grammar