Exercise 4. Read the text and present the achievements of the North-Western Customs Administration in 6 -7 sentences.

Exercise 1. Find the meaning of the underlined words in the dictionary.

Exercise 2. According to the text, are the following statements true or false? If they are false, give the correct statement.

1. A large amount of freight crosses the border on trains.

2. New Customs checkpoints have been set up at the borders with the Baltic States.

3. The North- Western Customs Administration works in coordination with Finnish Customs.

4. Unfortunately the information about freight, its transfer and its storage is not complete.

5. St. Petersburg has a unified network of freight transport services.

6. The all-embracing service takes care of everything between the train and warehouse.

7. Individuals are not subject to Customs duties if the value of the items they are bringing with them doesn't exceed 300 dollars (US).

8. All permanent residents of the Russian Federation are permitted to bring in goods valued up to 5, 000 dollars (US).

Exercise 3. Look through the text again to answer the following questions.

1) What proves that the North-Western Customs Administration will now introduce changes?

2) What has been done to better coordinate the activity of the largest train-handling Customs offices?

3) Why is the introduction of up-to-date Customs technology so important?

4) What services have been introduced in St. Petersburg?

5) When are individuals not subject to any Customs duties?

6) Who is permitted to bring in goods valued up to 5, 000 dollars (US)?

Exercise 4. Read the text and present the achievements of the North-Western Customs Administration in 6 -7 sentences.

TEXT 2 EFFECTIVE PASSENGER AND BAGGAGE CONTROL

In dealing with any passenger, the single most important point to establish is " Why has this passenger travelled? " You should:

· Establish reasons for travel.

· Examine passport to ascertain previous and current journeys from drug production or suspect areas. If the passenger is a frequent traveller establish reasons for frequency of travel.

· Examine ticket to ascertain method of payment and whether ticket matches the passenger's journey. (Remember: late booked or cash tickets are often used by smugglers.)

All the above should be carried out for all passengers stopped to satisfy you as to their reasons for travelling. Your basic questions:

- Is this all your baggage? Did you pack it yourself?

- Do you know what the baggage contains?

- Are you carrying any items for anyone else? Are you travelling alone?

- Do you know what the Customs allowances are? (Check that the passenger has correct baggage reclaim tags.)

Practical examinations:

Passenger travelling on business:

· Examine any documents in order to verily whether the passenger is engaged in legitimate business. Make sure that documents relate to up-to-date transactions.

Visitors or residents returning from holidays:

· Look for gifts, clothing, souvenirs and the usual items you would normally expect to find with this type of passenger. These will link passengers to the baggage and reasons for travel. (Be suspicious of passengers arriving with only light baggage containing few, if any, articles of personal nature.)

All passengers:

· Always check baggage for concealments,

· Regularly examine articles within the baggage by X-ray and/or opening them (e.g. tinned goods, toiletries, cigarette cartons, etc.). Don't overlook the commonplace.

Points to remember prior to baggage examination:

Adopt a positive approach. You must believe that if there are goods concealed, you will find them.

ü You are a representative of this department and in the public eye. At all times, act with courtesy and diplomacy. Be firm, but fair and confident.

ü Do not be drawn into arguments. Remain calm however provoked.

ü Do not hesitate to seek assistance or advice from colleagues.

Experience has proved that goods, and in particular drugs, can be concealed within baggage and its contents in many different ways. Remember the basic concept that wherever there is a space there can be a concealment.

Helpful hints:

The examination of baggage can be separated into two clearly defined areas; the contents and container. Remove the contents carefully and systematically. Examine individual items as necessary during this process. Separate any items worthy of closer attention and place out of the passenger's reach. To facilitate the examination of certain articles, each baggage station should

have a comprehensive selection of tools and other equipment including an X-ray machine. You should make full use of the equipment at your disposal. When using tools to examine contents, exercise care to minimize damage. If it is necessary to damage an article, try to establish its value prior to examination.