Speaking

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1. When do people have to go through customs?

2. What does it mean “to go through customs”?

3. In what way do the countries try to protect their own industries?

4. Do all travellers have to fill in customs declaration from?

5. What must a traveller write in declaration form?

6. What items are not liable to duty?

7. Is there any difference in a maximum allowed weight of baggage for business class and economy class passenger?

8. In what cases are special fees applicable?

9. Why is it important for the traveller not to break the customs rules?

10. What do people smuggle most often?

Exercise 2. Read these dialogues and reproduce them.

Dialogue 1. Customs

CUSTOMS OFFICER: Is this all your luggage, sir?

RENSKY: Yes, just these two bags.

OFFICER: Do you have anything to declare – liquors, cigarettes?

RENSKY: I don't think so. No oranges or apples, either.

OFFICER: Would you mind opening this bag, sir.

RENSKY: Not at all. Is there anything wrong?

OFFICER: What's this gray plastic thing?

RENSKY: Oh, It's my laptop computer. Do you want me to open it?

OFFICER: Please open it and turn it on... Thanks.

RENSKY: You don't leave much to chance, do you?

OFFICER: Well, you see security has been tightened recently,

RENSKY: Is everything OK now?

OFFICER: Yes, sir. That will be all.

RENSKY: Excuse me, one question. I'm changing planes here.

What do I do with my luggage?

OFFICER: You will have to check it in again.

RENSKY: Thanks.

Dialogue 2. Immigration

IMMIGRATION OFFICER: Next, please!

RENSKY: Hello!

OFFICER: Good morning, sir. May I see your passport, please?

RENSKY: Sure, here you are. The visa is stapled in it.

OFFICER: Where are you going to stay in America, Mr. ... uh ... Rensky?

RENSKY: I've been invited to give lectures at the University of Texas!

OFFICER: Do you happen to have the invitation?

RENSKY: Oh yes... yes, it must be here somewhere... There you go.

OFFICER: Right. How long are you planning to remain there?

RENSKY: Actually, I'm not sure. My original intention was to stay till the end of December, but my work may take a little longer.

OFFICER: Your visa expires on the first of January, so you’d better make sure you extend it in advance,

RENSKY: Thanks, I will. Is that all?

OFFICER: Yes, sir. Here’s your passport.

RENSKY: Oh, and where do I collect my luggage?

OFFICER: The baggage claim is a little further down that way. Welcome to the United States, Mr. Rensky!

Notes: the baggage claim – видача багажу;

staple – скріпляти скобами;

expire – закінчуватися (про строк).

Lesson 2. Dual-Channel System Reading

The dual-channel or red/green system is a simplified Customs control which enables Customs authorities to improve the flow of passenger traffic at international airports and to deal efficiently with the increasing number of passengers without reducing the effectiveness of the control and without a corresponding increase in the number of Customs staff. It is not necessarily incompatible with the application of other controls, for example, exchange controls, unless the circumstances require full control of all passengers and their baggage.

The dual-channel system should be operated as outlined below. The system shall allow the passengers to choose between two types of channels:

1. one (green channel) for passengers having with them no goods or only goods which can be admitted free of import duties and taxes and which are not subject to import prohibitions or restrictions; and

2. the other (red channel) for other passengers.

Each channel shall be clearly and distinctively marked so that the choice between them can easily be understood by passengers. The basic distinctive marking shall be:

a) for the channel referred to as “green” – the words “Nothing to declare”;

b) for the channel referred to as “red” – the words “Goods to declare”.

In addition, the channels should be identified by an inscription including the word “Customs”.

Passengers must be sufficiently well informed to choose between the channels. For this purpose it is important:

a) that passengers be informed about the functioning of the system and about the descriptions and quantities of goods they may have with them when using the green channel. This may be done by means of posters or panels at the airport or by means of leaflets available to the public in the airport or distributed through tourist agencies, airlines and other interested bodies;

b) that the route to the channels be clearly sign-posted.

The channels shall be located beyond the baggage delivery area so that passengers have all their baggage with them when choosing their channel. Moreover, the channels shall be so arranged that the passenger flow from that area to the airport exits is as direct as possible.

The distance between the baggage delivery area and the entrance to the channel shall be sufficient to allow passengers to decide which channel to choose and to move into that channel without causing congestion.

Passengers who have selected the green channel shall not be subject to any other Customs formalities unless they are the subject of a spot check; in the red channel, passengers shall accomplish the formalities required by Customs.