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.

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.

 

organiz a tion организация

h i story история

f e deral федеральный

b u dget бюджет

ec o nomy экономика

s y stem система

eff e ctive эффективный

t e rritory территория

imp o rter импортер

lab o ratory лаборатория

b) Read the English words again.

 

Task 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. Translate the questions and answer them.

1. Почему начисление и сбор таможенных пошлин всегда являлись одной из основных функций таможни?

2. К каким последствиям могут привести ошибки, допущенные при классификации товара?

3. Какой документ является основным для таможенной оценки?

4. Какие задачи стоят перед таможней при досмотре пассажиров и грузов?

5. Что помогает ускорить досмотр?

6. Для чего нужен сбор статистических данных о правонарушениях?

7. Какие правонарушения расследуют таможенники?

8. Почему необходимо проводить лабораторные анализы?

9. В обязанности таможенников входит взимание таможенных пошлин, таможенный контроль и сбор статистических данных о ввозимых и вывозимых товарах.

 

Text 2

Task 8. 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?

 

 

Vocabulary and Grammar

Task 9. 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 10. 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).

Task 11. 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 12. Translate the sentences into English.

 

1. Сотрудники таможни только что досмотрели багаж этого пассажира.

2. Они закончили оформлять документы на груз к 14.00.

3. Если документы будут заполнены правильно, сотрудник таможни подпишет их и поставит дату.

4. Обычно сотрудники этого таможенного поста работают посменно.

5. Пока кинолог с собакой проверяли автомобиль, таможенник задавал вопросы водителю.

6. Как долго вы работаете в отделе по расследованию?

7. Завтра в 10 часов утра мы будем обсуждать новый законодательный акт.

8. Таможенники получили информацию о контрабанде до того, как груз прибыл на границу.

Task 13. 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 14. 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 15. Read and translate the text.

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 those things. Nothing to declare.”

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

Now she started ts-tsking. “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 16. 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 17. 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 18. Make a written translation of the text and think about the title for it.

The best tool for drug law enforcement is a trained, motivated and supported customs officer. The majority of the drugs seized resulted from the work of such officers. There are also, however, other tools and techniques available to supplement the officers’ work and knowledge. Among the most important of these is the principle of co-operation and exchange of information between different Customs services. This includes specific information co-operation on particular drug shipments and/or persons involved in the trade and more general material on concealments, routings, courier characteristics, etc.

This is where the World Customs Organization has a leading role to play since it provides a legal framework by which this activity can be carried out.

Speaking

Task 19. Complete the definitions:

1. An architect designs buildings.

2. A university lecturer ______________________________.

3. A vet ______________________________.

4. A designer ______________________________.

5. A lawyer _____________________________.

6. An engineer ______________________________.

7. A customs officer ______________________________.

8. A dog handler ______________________________.

9. A police officer ______________________________.

10. A border guard ______________________________.

11. A president ______________________________.

12. A smuggler ______________________________.

Task 20. Say if it is true or false.

1. The assessment of import duties and taxes is the least important function in every customs organization.

2. Cargo shipments entering the country are to be supplied with supporting documents excluding commercial invoices.

3. Cargo shipments are inspected for duty collection only.

4. Specially trained drug-detector dogs are sometimes more effective than traditional methods of detecting contraband.

5. The most common customs violations are: duty, tax and penalty.

6. Laboratory analyses are performed in order to prevent currency violation.

 

Task 21. Get ready todiscuss the following questions with your partners.

 

1. Are all the Customs areas equally important?

2. Which customs area would you like to be involved in? Why?

3. Will the functions of the Customs be the same in 50 years time?

Task 22. Get ready to speak on the topic. Use the vocabulary of the unit.

Communication activities.

 

Task 23. Complete the dialogue and reproduce it with your partner.

 

C.O. - Will you show your belongings, please.

P.._ -_____________________________

C.O. - How many pieces do you have?

P.._ -_____________________________

C.O. - Do you have anything to declare?

P.._ -______________________________

C.O. - This quantity is not liable to duty and what do you have in your suitcase?

P.._ -_____________________________

C.O. - Thank you. That’s all.

P.._ -_____________________________

 

 

Task 24. Role-play. You are at the conference devoted to Customs areas. One student is the chairman and he holds the conference. Other students represent heads of different departments of customs service (according to text I, Unit 3). They should present the work of their department (2-3 min) and answer the questions of the chairman and other Customs representatives. (Questions should be prepared beforehand).

Task 25. Make up situations illustrating the following proverbs and sayings.

 

1. Actions speak louder than words.

2. One is never too old to learn.

3. East or West home is best.

4. Experience is the mother of wisdom.

5. One man, no man.

VOCABULARY

to assess; assessment	оценивать, начислять; оценка, начисление
responsibility	ответственность; обязанность
to invest; investment	инвестировать; инвестиция
merchandise classification	классификация товаров
foundation	основание
Harmonized System of Classification	Гармонизированная система классификации товаров
to prevent losses	предотвращать потери
cargo shipment	партия товара
commercial invoice	коммерческий счет-фактура
Certificate of Quality	сертификат качества
Certificates of Origin	сертификат происхождения
goods valuation	определение стоимости товара
undervaluation	занижение стоимости
to conceal; concealment	сокрыть; сокрытие
device	устройство
to release merchandise	выпускать товар после таможенного контроля и оформления
to damage; damage	повреждать, наносить ущерб; повреждение, ущерб
to prohibit; prohibited	запрещать; запрещенный
modus operandi	образ действия (лат.)
sophisticated	зд. изощрённый
to violate; violator	нарушать, нарушитель
commercial fraud	мошенничество в торговле
money laundering	отмывание денег
internal corruption	внутриведомственная коррупция
infringement of trademark	нарушение права собственности на товарный знак
intellectual property rights	право на интеллектуальную собственность
complex chemical composition	сложный химический состав

UNIT 4

PASSENGER CONTROL