Customs specialized areas of work

UNIT 3

CUSTOMS SPECIALIZED AREAS OF WORK

Starting up

1. Do you think that customs office operates as any other?

2. Have you ever been engaged in customs work?

3. Do you know anything about customs officers’ responsibilities?

4. Have you ever been involved in passenger inspection in any way?

5. Can you say a few words that characterize the customs officer as a good professional?

READING

Task 1. Study the text to know the concept of Customs’ work

The customs’ work includes the following:

Duty collection

The assessment and collection of duties and taxes have always been one of the main functions of the customs service. In fact, collection of the revenue is the responsibility with which the customs usually started. Throughout its history the customs has supplied the federal budget with the revenue necessary for investment in the economy and in the country’s basic infrastructure, i.e. new schools, roads, hospitals.

Classification

Merchandise classification is the foundation on which duty collection occurs. All goods entering the country should be classified by use of the established numerical coding system. Most countries are now adopting the Harmonized System of Classification which, in case of uniform application, can help improve the classification of goods and prevent losses of duty collection.

    3. Appraisement

Cargo shipments entering the country are to be supplied with the necessary documents, for example, commercial invoices, certificates of quality, certificates of origin and others. The cargo declaration is a basis for goods valuation and assessment of duty. Undervaluation can result in underpayment of duties.

Cargo and Passenger inspection

Effective passenger and baggage control is necessary to collect proper duty and to prevent smuggling. Baggage is checked for concealment by X - ray or opening it. Cargo shipments are to be inspected for duty collection and anti-smuggling purposes. Various inspectional techniques and devices can help release merchandise quicker, with less damage and also result in increased seizures of prohibited items.

Smuggling information collection and statistics

Collection and analysis of information on smuggling result in better understanding of smuggling trends and the modus operandi of individuals or organized crime gangs breaking customs laws.

Investigation

Investigation of customs violations is performed to target the more sophisticated violators of customs laws and regulations. The full range of customs violations can be investigated: the smuggling of merchandise, narcotics, arms and ammunition as well as commercial fraud, currency violations and money laundering, internal corruption, infringement of trademark and intellectual property rights (IPR) etc.

Laboratory procedures

Laboratory tests are performed in order to classify merchandise and collect the correct amount of duty. The new Harmonized System of classification is much more dependent on laboratory analyses  than most prior classification systems because of complex chemical composition of most goods.

Comprehension

Task 3.  a) Mark the stress in the Russian words and compare it with the English words. Tick the pairs of words with different stressed syllables.

 

organiz a tionорганизация

h i storyистория

f e deralфедеральный

b u dgetбюджет

ec o nomyэкономика

s y stemсистема

eff e ctiveэффективный

t e rritoryтерритория

imp o rterимпортер

lab o ratoryлаборатория

b) Read the English words again.

 

Task 4. a) Look through the text and find synonyms to the following words:

- goods

- infringement

- responsibility

- usage

- basis

- to set free

- confiscation

- method

b) Make sentences with these words.

 

Task 5. a) Complete the table with the words from the text formed from the following verbs. Make the necessary changes.

assess, collect, organize, ship, invest, pay, apply, classify, enforce, investigate, develop, inspect, operate, conceal, regulate, violate

-ment	-tion
assessment	collection

b) Complete the sentences with the words from the table and translate them into Russian.

1. The goods are ready for __________.

2. A private detective was hired to conduct the __________.

3. __________ can be made by cheque or by credit card.

4. The government is introducing new import __________.

5. Correct __________ of goods is very important for duty __________.

6. Nowadays much attention is paid to the __________ of the Customs Service infrastructure.

7. The __________ of scanners helps to speed up examination of goods.

8. The anti-terrorist __________ was carried out under the code name “Whirlpool”.

9. One of the main functions of the Customs is __________ of duties and taxes.

10. False bottom of a bag is often used as a place of __________.

Task 6. Answer the following questions:

1. Where does the duty collected go?

2. What is the reason for merchandise classification?

3. Do all the countries have their own goods classification systems?

4. What documents must accompany the cargo?

5. Why is it necessary to inspect passengers and cargo?

6. What can help to speed up the search and to make it more efficient?

7. How can the customs statistics help in the fight against smuggling?

8. What customs violations can you name?

9. Why are some goods tested in customs laboratories?

 

Task 7. Say what you can remember about:

- the main functions of the customs;

- the ways to avoid underpayment of duties;

- laboratory tests;

- methods of detecting contraband;

- customs violations.

Task 8. Translate the questions and answer them.

1. В обязанности различных подразделений таможенной службы входит взимание таможенных пошлин, таможенный контроль и сбор статистических данных о ввозимых и вывозимых товарах.

2. Для чего используются лабораторные анализы в работе таможенных служб?

3. Какие таможенные правонарушения выявляют таможенные работники?

4. Что дает сбор статистических данных о таможенных правонарушениях?

5. Какие задачи ставит перед собой таможенная служба, осуществляя досмотр физических лиц и грузов в местах их пересечения границы?

6. Какие меры помогают ускорить таможенный досмотр пассажиров в аэропортах?

7. Как производится таможенная оценка грузов, ввозимых в страну?

8. Как классификация товара влияет на таможенную оценку товара?

9. В какой мере таможенные сборы способствуют пополнению бюджета страны?

10.  Какие таможенные правонарушения считаются наиболее сложными с точки зрения их раскрытия?

Reading 2

Task 9. Read the text and answer the questions:

 

CANINE ENFORCEMENT

    Customs Services and other Law enforcement agencies around the world use canine teams (K-9) in everyday activities because dogs can sniff out narcotics and explosives and currency which machines cannot trace. Teams consisting of a dog and a handler are used to screen arriving aircraft, vessels, vehicles, cargo, baggage, mail, premises and people.

The Customs uses a wide variety of dogs. But as drug detector dogs are often on show in public areas (such as airport terminals) Customs Services prefer to choose the breeds of which people are not frightened. That is why in the UK they don’t use Alsatians or Rottweilers as these dogs are considered aggressive and threatening. Mainly Labrador retrievers, Collies, German Shepherds, Spaniels, Pointers and mixed breeds are used for drug detection work.

The basis for the training is the dog’s natural instinct to hunt and retrieve and its desire to please its handler. Initially the dogs are encouraged to search for hidden training aids. Concealments are progressively made more difficult and the full range of drugs is introduced.

The handlers are trained to interpret the dog’s behavior or “indications” when they are confronted with the presence of drugs. If the handler fails to interpret these signals or indications there will be little success.

To the dog, finding drugs is fun. This is reflected in the dog’s behavior: it is highly active at work, and enjoys the reward or praise by its handler when it makes a find, but the dog is not allowed to feel that it is playing. To make a clear distinction between work and play, the working dog wears a special harness. When the handler puts the harness on the dog, the animal knows it is on duty.

* * *

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) K-9 officer working with his partner Rambo, seized more than 4 kilograms of opium at Chicago Foreign Mail Facility. While screening arriving international mail Rambo alerted to the parcel, delivered from Laos, which was manifested with the description “Traditional Tea”. The CBP officer opened the parcel to find 43 plastic bags containing the drug packed in dried leaves. The investigation is ongoing.

* * *

    U.S. CBP officers seized 66.5 kg of marijuana after a Chevrolet pickup truck arrived at the port of entry from Mexico. During the search CBP officers used a fiberscope to peer into fuel tank and noticed anomalies in its appearance. CBP drug sniffing dog Dollar examined the vehicle and alerted his handler to the presence of narcotics. CBP officers continued their inspection by removing fuel tank. They dismantled the tank and discovered 5 sealed metal boxes with the drug. The driver, a 55-year-old US resident was arrested and now he faces federal prosecution on drug charges.

 

b) Make a glossary. Choose seven words to remember.

c) Answer the questions:       

1. Why do K-9 teams work for the law enforcement agencies?

2. What concealed items can dogs detect?

3. What breeds are trained for anti-smuggling and anti-terrorist purposes?

4. What natural instinct of dogs is used during training and work?

5. What is essential for the successful work of a canine team?

6. Do dogs understand that they are working?

7. What did CBP dog Rambo help to discover?

8. How was the drug declared?

9. Where did the parcel arrive from?

10. What device did CBP officers use to search the truck from Mexico?

11. What special skills were required to seize the drugs concealed in the fuel tank?

 

III. LANGUAGE WORK

Vocabulary Practice

Task 10. Study the models. Translate the word combinations.

Models: a) cane sugar – тростниковый сахар

sugar cane – сахарный тростник

         b) steel knife – стальной нож

steel market – рынок стали

steel price – цены на сталь

steel strike – забастовка сталелитейщиков

 

1. law enforcement agency

2. drug detector dog

3. career prospects

4. merchandise classification system

5. cargo declaration form

6. smuggling information collection

7. crime gang

8. customs hall

9. currency exchange rate

10. drug charges

11. world customs organization

12. oil production

Task 11. Work with the dictionary to find out the meanings of the words and translate the sentences.

to apply – 1) _______________

              2 ) _______________

They plan to apply to the Consul for visa.

To define the rate of tariff we apply the goods classification system.

 

to clear - 1) _______________

            2) _______________

Within minutes the police had cleared the area.

The cargo was released from the Customs zone as soon as it was cleared.

 

to process – 1) _______________

                2) _______________

Your documents haven’t been processed yet.

About a million workers are employed to process goods for that electronic firm.

 

to collect – 1) _______________

              2) _______________

The company collects information about the new market trends.

Before you begin to make a speech, you should collect your thoughts and ideas.

The Customs collects import duties on certain categories of goods.

 

to break – 1) _______________

             2) _______________

Be careful with the camera. You may break it.

If you break the rules you will be punished.

The cameras catch the drivers who break speed limit.

He never breaks his word (promise).

GRAMMAR PRACTICE

Task 12. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1. Most officers (to wear) uniform and (to deal) with passengers.

2. Last year he (to work) in shifts and often overtime.

3. As soon as the customs officer (to process) the documents he (to start) clearing the cargo. (use Present, Past, Future Tenses)

4. Customs officers always (to use) a wide range of tools and technology.

5. We (to have) canine team inspection if we (to suspect) contraband in the container. (use Present, Future Tenses)

6. This work (to require) attention and concentration. (use Present, Past, Future Tenses)

7. He (to work) for the Customs for five years.

8. They (to examine) her luggage before you (to come). (use Past, Future Tenses)

9. By the time the cargo (to cross) the border the customs authorities (to process) all the documents. (use Present, Past, Future Tenses)

Task 13. Translate the sentences into English.

 

1. То, что увидели таможенные работники в багаже египтянина, превзошло все их ожидания

2.  Мы ведем это расследование несколько месяцев, но конца ему не видно до сих пор.

3. Кинолог вместе со своей собакой внимательно осматривал автомобиль.

4. Этот пункт пропуска обычно не загружен, но сегодня творится что-то невероятное.

5. Я не думаю, что этот таможенный пост справится с таким потоком автомобилей.

6. После до того, как мы пройдем таможенный досмотр, я подожду тебя у выхода.

7. Завтра я целый день буду укладывать вещи для поездки и приведу в порядок дорожную кладь.

8. Мы успели пройти паспортный контроль до того, как техника вышла из строя.

 

Task 14. a) Match left and right to make sentences.

1. At the Aeroflot breeding centre they	D	a) the world’s greatest sniffer dog.
2. Aeroflot claims it’s		b) work in temperatures as low as -70C, and jackals which enjoy the heat up to +40C.
3. They have spent years		c) to detect concealed narcotics, currency or explosives.
4. The dogs of that breed can		d) have developed a unique breed - a cross between a Siberian husky and a jackal.
5. They are perfect		e) customs examination process at the airports, seaports and other ports of entry.
6. The dogs are taught		f) perfecting the breed and now the dogs combine the qualities of Arctic reindeer herding dogs.
7. This helps to expedite		g) for our country.

b) Say what you have learned about the new breed.

c) Discuss the following:

1. In what countries can these dogs be used for work at the Customs?

2. For what other purposes can these dogs be used?

 

Task 15. a) Insert articles or possessive pronouns, if necessary.

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS

    Once _____ travel plans are confirmed, check _____ expiration date of _____ passport. It is also _____ good idea to make _____ photocopies of _____ data page. Leave one copy with someone at _____ home and keep another one with you, separated from _____ passport.

    If you lose _____ passport, promptly call _____ nearest embassy or consulate and _____ local police. Having _____ copy of _____ data page can speed replacement.

    When shopping, keep _____ receipts for all of _____ purchases. Upon reentering _____ country, be ready to show _____ customs officials what you have bought. If you object to _____ way your clearance was handled, get _____ inspector’s badge number. If you feel _____ duty is incorrect, appeal _____ assessment.

b) Name three most important tips for travelers.

Task 16. Read the text and comment on how to avoid dealing with customs officers.

    When it comes to dealing with customs officers, anywhere in the world, the Golden Rule has got to be: You can’t beat a professional at his own game.

    Case in point. Returning to New York from a trip to Europe, a well-dressed, middle-aged woman on line in front of me put two bags on the counter and said. “Nothing to declare, officer.”

    The inspector checked her passport and asked. “Where are you coming from?”

“Paris,” she told him.

    He nodded. “No alcohol? No tobacco? No dairy products or meat? Have you bought anything for yourself or are you bringing in any gifts?”

    “No,” she insisted. “None of thosethings.Nothing to declare.”

    “Okay.” He pointed to her smaller case. “Would you open that one for me, please.

    Now she started asking. “Officer, I know you are never going to believe me, but this morning when I was packing to leave the hotel I closed my bags not realizing that I had locked the keys inside. How silly of me. I’m sure it’s going to be a big problem when I get home because I’ll have to find a locksmith …”

    The customs official wasn’t in the least fazed. “Not to worry.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out a huge steel ring with no less than six million keys dangling from it. “I’m sure we can help.”

    That’s when the woman remembered the Dior dress and the Armani shoes and the Gucci purse and the Bruno Magli boots and the Valentino sweater and the Piaget watch.

    No, you can’t beat a professional at his own game.

        

b) Make up 10 questions of all types to the text;

 

c) Give the gist of the story.

 

Task 17. a) Study the information in the table.

verb	meaning
KNOW	to have the facts or information in your mind
LEARN	to discover by hearing, reading
FIND OUT	to get information by study, inquiry, calculation
RECOGNIZE	to be able to identify sb/sth that one has seen, heard before
GET TO KNOW	to become familiar with sb/sth

b) Choose the right verb to complete the dialogue.

- Hello, Pete, delighted to see you.

- Hello, Paul. I haven’t seen you for ages. By the way, do you happen to

__________ Victor?

- I do. We studied at the Russian Customs Academy together and I __________     

him very well there.

- I’ve just __________ he is back in Moscow again.

- Great! I think we should meet.

- Oh, it’s a good idea. I think it will be difficult _________ each other after

all these years. I’ll phone him and __________ what day would be most 

convenient for us all.

- Please, let me __________ after you __________ everything.

- OK. See you later.

 

c) Use the words from the table to complete the sentences.

1. I just __________ that we are going to get new computers.

2. They (not) __________ me in the uniform.

3. You __________ how to use this tool?

4. Can you _________ why the flight has been cancelled?

5. I (not) __________ what channel I should choose.

6. We __________ about the changes in the timetable yesterday. There was a 

notice on the information panel.

7. He __________ a few people in the arrival lounge. They also came to greet

the delegation.

8. The next day she __________ that she had passed the exam.

9. I’d like __________ how much I will have to pay for the excess.

 

 

Task 18. Find as many words from the topic as you can.

T	R	A	D	E	M	A	R	K	W	F	V
E	C	O	P	E	F	C	C	I	V	T	T
G	G	H	R	J	K	T	R	L	Z	E	X
A	S	S	E	S	S	C	I	O	A	S	V
N	I	N	V	E	S	T	M	E	N	T	D
G	B	B	E	H	A	V	E	N	A	M	E
D	F	U	N	C	T	I	O	N	L	Q	V
A	W	D	T	E	M	O	N	E	Y	R	I
M	T	G	O	O	D	S	Y	U	S	I	C
A	M	E	R	C	H	A	N	D	I	S	E
G	O	T	C	A	N	I	N	E	S	P	A
E	S	D	V	I	O	L	A	T	I	O	N

Task 19. Make a written translation of the text and think about the title for it.

The levying of tariffs is often highly politicized. The possibility of increased competition from imported goods can threaten domestic industries. These domestic companies may fire workers or shift production abroad to cut costs, which means higher unemployment and a less happy electorate. The unemployment argument often shifts to domestic industries complaining about cheap foreign labor, and how poor working conditions and lack of regulation allow foreign companies to produce goods more cheaply. In economics, however, countries will continue to produce goods until they no longer have a comparative advantage (not to be confused with an absolute advantage).

(by Brent Radcliffe, http:// Investopedia.co/contributors/ 242/)

IV Listening

Watch the video for the unit and fulfill the tasks suggested by the teacher.