Customs seize 61 luxury designer pens worth ₹30 lakh from Japan flier at Ahmedabad airport

Officials of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Ahmedabad on Sunday seized 61 designer and high-value ink pens from an international passenger arriving at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, in what authorities suspect was an attempt to evade customs duty.

According to Customs officials, a male traveller who arrived in Ahmedabad from Japan via Ho Chi Minh City on VietJet flight VJ 1805, was intercepted on April 26 after officers noticed suspicious images during baggage scanning at the airport.

A subsequent detailed examination of the passenger’s luggage allegedly led to the recovery of 61 premium designer ink pens concealed inside the baggage.

Officials said the passenger had allegedly attempted to evade applicable customs duty by failing to declare the goods before Customs authorities at the airport.

The consignment was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

While the exact valuation of the seized goods is yet to be officially determined, Customs officials said the assessment could not be completed immediately due to the non-availability of a chartered engineer. However, based on the premium nature and design of the recovered items, authorities estimate the value of each pen to be between ₹ 40,000 and ₹ 50,000, placing the total estimated worth of the seizure at approximately ₹25 lakh to ₹30 lakh.

Officials said further investigation is under way to ascertain the precise value, source, and intended use of the undeclared goods.

The seizure comes amid heightened surveillance by Customs authorities at Ahmedabad airport, who have stepped up scrutiny of international arrivals to curb smuggling and duty evasion.