A Customs helpdesk was inaugurated at the arrival hall of the international terminal of Chennai airport on Tuesday by S. Ramesh, chief commissioner of Customs, Chennai zone.

The helpdesk, which has been set up based on feedback from passengers, will be manned by Customs officials who have received training in soft skills.

“Customs officials at the international airport are being given training in soft skills so that they interact with passengers in a polite, courteous and professional manner. A similar helpdesk will be set up at the departure terminal soon,” Mr. Ramesh said.

He also said that this year, 280 kilos of gold worth Rs. 71crore was seized against a Rs. 51-crore worth seizure last year.

“Since the quantity of seizure has gone up, we are planning to double the strength of Customs staff at the airport,” he added.

Last year, Customs at Chennai airport cleared 42 lakh passengers who arrived or departed on 30,000 flights.

The helpdesk will provide free guidebooks for travellers containing details pertaining to baggage rules, duty free allowances for Indians and foreigners residing in India, special allowances for professionals returning to India, duty free allowances for tourists, prohibited and restricted goods, and penal provisions and rules.