How my friend cleared customs with 11 bags cost-free?

What will happen at customs is often a worry for a lot of people visiting idea. I have heard good stories and I have heard horror stories. This post is targeted at the law-abiding legitimate people and how there are provisions to protect their interest. Most importantly – sometimes it works. This is a good story.
When a friend of mine was moving back to India from London, he was wondering what he should do with the pile of electronics he had. That is how he stumbled upon – “Transfer of Residence”.

Under its provisions, an Indian citizen can bring in almost any household stuff barring a few specifically mentioned items – duty free – into India! However, he should have not claimed the benefit in last three years and he should have been outside of India for past two years. There are other provisions, but they are finer details and can be Googled.

The drama started when he landed in Delhi.

The customs officer at the Red Channel first refused to acknowledge that he was eligible for ToR. He was grilled mercilessly for a weakness in his story. However, he was ready for such eventuality and had printed out relevant pages from the Customs website. Given the documentary evidence the officer had to give way. The customs guy then simply moved on to other revenue opportunities, and left my friend hanging.
After, nearly an hour of waiting and having his juniors constantly badgered by my friend, the officer returned. My friend still refused to part with any money. The officer was annoyed at my friend’s obstinate behavior. He asked one of his underlings to open my friend’s bags and see if there was any other stuff. After checking many bags – they gave up. They realized that my friend was clean.

Then it boiled down to plain – “you must pay”. Customs officers let my friend go but signaled a policeman to stop him at the gate. The cop tried to intimidate him. My friend glared back and told the cop – “I owe no duty and I will pay no money”. The cop gave up too.

It took my friend two hours to get through. This is an example of how information can empower people. And to be honest, you must thank Indian officers for the higher level of professionalism. I am not joking. This is a relative statement. In old socialist times – my friend would have lost all baggage. I hope that things only improve from here.