The much awaited air shipment finally arrived a couple of days ago and I made the trip to the Chennai Air Cargo terminal to get it cleared. The manager of the cargo company (a very nice gentleman by the name Swaminathan) assured me that they will take care of everything and the process was very simple. Just bring your passport sir and you will be done in a couple of hours. Little did I know how a simple task can get very complicated.
When I reached the cargo depot, I was met by Swaminathan. The clearing agent was already in the line (22 people waiting in a long line) and we got in soon. Clearing unaccompied baggage is not simple matter after all. For those who are really suffering from insomnia, you are read the full details at the official web site.
http://www.airportsindia.org.in/cargo/mumbai_clearanceprocedure.jsp
After a short verbal fight with the Cathay Pacific agent on who should sign the forms(me or the clearing agent), we got to the actual cargo area. The agent had requested that the cargo be brought to the front for easy inspection but we had to wait because if we went in too early the officers get angry how the shipment came to the front so fast.
Unfortunately, Graebel did a good job in packing our shipment – the container was strapped with a steel belt. Now, one would think that a major airport like Chennai would have seen a shipment that is well packed and strapped. But other than a small knife, no one had a single pliers or cutters. We managed to slip off one of the straps, but the other one refused to budge. Finally someone got a hammer and beat it till the strap finally broke. Damage – one employee with a badly cut hand trying to hold the strap.
This is also a good time for my pet peeve. How come there are so many people with nothing to do standing around at the cargo station? We had at least 15 people pushing and shoving to see what is going on. None of them worked there nor did they have any suggestions that would have helped.
Finally after a lot of effort the shipment was opened and the customs officer came to inspect it. We did not have any electronics or valuable items, just a few household items that we need the first couple of months to avoid shopping as soon as we came to Chennai. I was watching people coming in from the Middle East with lots of packages. Later I was told that people go to ME for a couple of years to bring back expensive things for other people and claiming a transfer of residence. Nice racket!
The inspection did not find anything, but I was left with most of the packages opened. The agent and I spent about 30 minutes repacking. Good news – no duty. I personally think the packaging was of more value than our shipment.
I thought I was done, but wait – all the customs officers went off for lunch. That is another 90 minutes. I had nothing else to do, so off I went for lunch.
One word about the waiting room. It has a nice TV playing song and dance sequences from movies and all the seats were taken. Most of the people sitting had badges, so I assume they all worked there (or at least employed there!). By afternoon, several people had given up any hopes of a quick clearance and took naps stretching on the ground.
Finally around 3:15pm I got all the signatures, made sure I still had my passport, handed off to my very helpful agent and left the building. I will breathe a sigh of relief when the packages finally are deliver to my apartment in about 12 days.
