T’puram: A directive from the Kochi customs commissioner has called for stricter enforcement of Kerala’s liquor possession laws at Kochi airport, after it was found that passengers carrying excess alcohol were being allowed to leave with the quantity after paying fines for violating baggage rules, although such possession remained in violation of state law. Though issued in the context of Kochi airport, the directive is expected to have implications across all airports in the state as Abkari Act applies statewide.The office memorandum, issued on April 20, 2026 (accessed by TOI), points to a practice at Kochi airport where passengers intercepted with liquor beyond the two-litre duty-free limit prescribed under the Customs Baggage Rules, 2026, were penalised, but not prevented from taking the excess quantity out of the airport.The memorandum draws attention to the need to read customs provisions alongside Kerala Abkari Act. While Baggage Rules permit duty-free import of up to two litres of alcoholic liquor, state law prescribes separate caps on personal possession — 3.5 litres each for beer and wine and 2.5 litres for foreign-made foreign liquor (FMFL). Possession beyond these limits requires a valid licence from the state excise department.However, a senior excise official said the rationale behind fixing such limits is often misunderstood. “The limits prescribed under the abkari law are primarily intended to prevent diversion of liquor for commercial purposes and to ensure that what is brought in is meant only for personal consumption. In routine enforcement, small variations, though illegal, are not typically viewed as indicative of commercial intent,” the official said.Without directly commenting on the customs directive, the official indicated that strict, zero-deviation enforcement at entry points could have practical implications. “There can be instances where passengers carry a marginal quantity above the prescribed limit. In such situations, passengers may be required to undergo additional formalities even for minor excess quantities,” he said.The customs memorandum, however, reiterates that officers are required to ensure that no passenger exits the airport with liquor exceeding the limits prescribed under state law without a valid excise licence. It emphasises that enforcement should not stop at detecting and penalising excess import, but must extend to ensuring compliance with state-level possession rules.Accordingly, any liquor seized for exceeding the two-litre duty-free allowance can be released only if the passenger produces a valid licence permitting possession beyond the prescribed limits in Kerala. In the absence of such a licence, the excess quantity will remain confiscated, even if the passenger opts to pay the applicable fine under customs provisions.The memorandum also cautions against the routine use of Section 125 of the Customs Act, which allows confiscated goods to be released on payment of a fine. While the provision remains available, the commissioner has stressed that it must be exercised with due diligence to ensure that it does not result in passengers carrying liquor into the state in excess of what is legally permitted. MSID:: 130442847 413 |
