Communication activities. Task 27. In pairs decipher the following abbreviations used in business letters, as in the given model:
Task 27. In pairs decipher the following abbreviations used in business letters, as in the given model:
1. Model: - What does SOONEST mean?
- I think it means « as soon as possible».
ATTN U PLS OK Sq
REF CLD RPT YR
2. Model: - Do you know what these abbreviations stand for?
- I think GB stands for Great Britain.
$ % sq.m UK £ EU UN
Approx. K p.m. m WCO PM km/h
3. Model: - Do you know the abbreviations for these words?
- Yes, I do. For example, «Mr.» is for «Mister».
avenue misses limited television Fahrenheit and
Centigrade pound company world wide web degree
Task 28. Read and act out short dialogues:
1) - Have you got anything to declare?
- I don’t think I have.
- Do you have money with you?
- Only some gold souvenir coins.
- I’m afraid you’ll have to declare them.
2) - Have you got anything liable to duty?
- I’ve got a bottle of whisky, that’s all.
- Any presents?
- Just a few souvenirs: gold chains, bracelets…
- Have you declared everything?
3) - Do you have any gold items, cigarettes, or spirits?
- Yes, I have. This ring and a lighter.
- What is there in this small box?
- There’s some jewelry in it.
- Are you sure, you’ve declared everything?
4) - Do you have anything to declare?
- Uh…, nothing, except some whisky and some cigarettes.
- And what do you have in your suit case?
- A gold tray, a person for a friend of mine.
- You have to put it in the declaration.
Task 29. Make up short dialogues on the topics below and act them out:
1. You have just returned from a business trip to England. Compare the regulations valid for the English and the Russian Customs concerning luggage and money.
2. You travelled abroad and you bring in goods exceeding duty and tax free allowance. You discuss with the customs officer the regulations for individuals to move goods across the border of the Customs union.
VOCABULARY
| Customs Code | Таможенный кодекс |
| customs authority | таможенный орган |
| provision | положение, статья (договора, кодекса) |
| an individual | физическое лицо |
| accompanied / non-accompanied | сопровождаемый/несопровождаемый |
| personal | личный |
| family | семейный |
| domestic | домашний |
| needs | нужды |
| to intend | намереваться, предполагать |
| purpose | цель, назначение |
| intended purpose | предназначение |
| commercial syn. entrepreneurial | коммерческий |
| to determine | определять, устанавливать |
| nature | зд. характер |
| quantity syn. amount | количество |
| frequency | частота |
| value / customs value | стоимость / таможенная стоимость |
| cultural valuables | культурные ценности |
| total weight | общий вес |
| to be exempt; exemption | быть освобожденныь (от налогов, пошлин); освобождение |
| rate / a unified rate | ставка / единая ставка |
| to apply | зд. применять |
| an aggregate customs payment | совокупный таможенный платеж |
| to levy | взимать |
| the rate of customs duties | ставка таможенной пошлины |
| transport means | транспортное средство |
| to manufacture / manufacture | производить / производство |
| engine volume | объем двигателя |
| to grant | предоставлять |
| to undergo | подвергаться; проходить процедуру |
| to envisage | предусматривать |
| legislation | законодательство |
| international postal items | международные почтовые отправления |
| recipient opp. sender | получатель ант. отправитель |
| to establish | устанавливать, вводить |
| certain categories of goods | отдельные категории товаров |
| to carry across the border | провозить через границу |
| to limit / limit | ограничивать / ограничение, лимит |
| arms and ammunition | оружие и боеприпасы |
| drugs; narcotics | наркотические средства |
| psychotropic substances | психотропные вещества |
| caviar | икра ценных пород рыб (чёрная икра) |
UNIT 6
THE SYSTEM OF RED AND GREEN CHANNELS
EFFECTIVE PASSENGER AND BAGGAGE CONTROL
Text 1
Task 1. Read and translate the 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 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.
During practical examination the customs officer should link the passenger to his baggage and reasons for travel.
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
Task 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
b) Read the English words again.
Task 3.Fill in one or two letters in each word:
cha___el
e___ective
pa___enger
meta___detector
co___ercial
toba___o
cu___ency
trave__
a___ompany
smu___ling
exami___ation
pa___port
Task 4. a) Match left and right to make word combinations:
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
b) Use the word combinations in the sentences of your own.
Task 5. a) Give the Russian equivalents of the following expressions:
b) Explain the meaning of the underlined expressions.
- the dual-channel system;
- without reducing the effectiveness;
- the system allows the passengers;
- “Nothing to declare”;
- “Goods to declare”;
- the functioning of the system;
- descriptions and quantities of the goods;
- drug production areas;
- to act with diplomacy;
- by means of posters and leaflets;
- tools and technologies at the disposal;
- the subject of a spot check;
- to facilitate the search
Task 6. Find in the text the English equivalents of the following:
система двойного канала; возрастающее количество пассажиров; запрещенные и ограниченные товары; товары для коммерческих целей; обозначить словами; с помощью плакатов и листовок; распространять через туристические агентства; выполнять формальности; проводить выборочные проверки; цель поездки; технические средства; ущерб
Task 7.Put P if the action refers to the passenger, put C if the action refers to the customs officer. Translate the word combinations.
- to work efficiently __C__
- to choose the channel __ P__
- to carry goods across the border _____
- to search for concealments _____
- to complete formalities _____
- to establish the dual-channel system _____
- to facilitate the search _____
- to be the subject of a spot check _____
- to exercise spot checks _____
- to unpack, open and repack personal belongings _____
- to break regulations _____
- to use tools _____
- to pay the duties _____
- to minimize damage _____
Task 8. Answer the questions:
1. Where is the dual-channel system introduced?
2. Why is the dual-channel system used?
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. What is most important during practical examination?
12. What can facilitate the search?
Task 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 . . .
Task 10.Put 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 counters: one for citizens of the country, the other for non-citizens. The immigration officer will check your visa and passport and put a stamp in it.
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.
7. At international airports these signs are usually in English as well as the local language.
Task 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, имеющиеся в их распоряжении.
10. При выезде за границу вы обязаны сообщить об имеющейся у вас при
себе валюте и предъявить её для досмотра.
11. Пассажир не знал, что в его багаже имеются предметы, подлежащие
обложению пошлиной.
12. Меня проинформировали о том, сколько багажа можно бесплатно провозить через границу, когда я покупал билет на самолёт.
Text 2
Task 12.a) Read and translate the text.
EFFECTIVE PASSENGER AND BAGGAGE CONTROL
In dealing with any passenger, customs officers-in-charge should:
ESTABLISH REASONS FOR TRAVEL
Examine passport to ascertain previous and current journeys to drug production and suspect areas. If the passenger is a frequent traveler establish reasons for frequency of travel. Examine ticket to ascertain method of payment. Remember: late booked or cash tickets are often used by smugglers.
CHECK THAT THE PASSENGER HAS CORRECT
BAGGAGE CLAIM TAGS AND ASK THE BASIC QUESTIONS
- Is this all your baggage? Did you pack it yourself?
- Do you know what the baggage contains?
- Are you carrying any items for anyone else? Are you travelling alone?
- Do you know what the Customs allowances are?
EXERCISE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
For passengers travelling on business: examine any documents in order to verify whether the passenger is engaged in legitimate business. Make sure that documents relate to up-to-date transactions.
For visitors or residents returning from holiday: look for gifts, clothing, souvenirs and the usual items you would normally expect to find with this type of passengers. These will link passengers to the baggage and reasons for travel. (Be suspicious of passengers arriving with only light baggage containing few, if any, articles of personal nature.)
For all passengers: always check baggage for concealments. Don’t overlook the commonplace. Carry out a Personal Search in case suspicion still exists.
The examination of baggage can be separated into two clearly defined
areas: the contents and the container.
Remove the contents carefully and systematically. Examine individual items as necessary during the process. Separate any items worthy of closer attention and place them out of the passenger’s reach. To facilitate the examination you should make full use of the equipment at your disposal. When using tools to examine the contents, exercise care to minimize damage.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Adopt a positive approach. You must believe that if there are goods concealed, you will find them.
- You are a representative of this department in the public eye. At all times act with courtesy and diplomacy.
- Do not be drawn into arguments. Stay calm however provoked.
- Do not hesitate to seek assistance or advice from colleagues.
b) Make a glossary. Choose seven words to remember.
Task 13.Look through the texts of the unit and write down what a customs officer:
| SHOULD DO | SHOULD NOT |
| - examine passport and ticket | - overlook the commonplace |
Task 14. Answer the questions:
1. What is the most important thing in dealing with a passenger?
2. Why do customs officers examine a passenger’s passport and ticket?
3. What questions are supposed to be asked by the customs officer and why?
4. How can a passenger prove that he is engaged in legitimate business?
5. Why do passengers with light baggage make customs officers suspect them?
6. What should customs officers remember while searching the contents of a passenger’s baggage?