The Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) conducted an awareness session for flight attendants of Solomon Airlines, the National carrier, to ensure its crew members’ compliance with the Customs Act Rules and Regulations.
The aim of the session is for crew members to understand Regulatory Compliance & Legal Safety, Preventing Trafficking and Smuggling, and Passenger Education, since crew members act as the first line of defence, educating passengers on what can or cannot be brought into a country, e.g., food, alcohol, currency.
The session enables crew members to understand Customs powers at the airport, identify restricted items, understand how to manage and fill Customs forms, and prevent penalties, while fostering a secure, compliant cabin environment during international flights.
The Awareness helps them in recognizing potential security threats, identifying, and addressing smuggling attempts or prohibited items on board.
Customs officers ensure crews understand how to properly manage required customs documentation, such as the Customs C46 Form, so that it reduces delays upon arrival.
Key topics presented during the information session include Customs roles and responsibilities at the airport, Crew Declaration Form – Customs C46 Form for handling of Duty-Free Allowances, Types of Cabin Crew Concessions for each crew member (i.e., Alcohol and Cigarettes products), and Items to be declared upon arrival.
Solomon Airlines Crew members listened attentively during the Customs presentation.
The presentation also covers topics on Prohibited and Restricted Goods, Seizure of goods, fines, and penalties, False Declaration, including Border Currency Declaration.
Speaking on behalf of the cohorts, Solomon Airlines Acting Cabin Crew Manager, Dominic Eric, thanked the Customs and Excise Division (SICED) for organizing and facilitating the information session for the Airline crew members.
“We really acknowledge the information shared with the crew members for compliance with the Customs Rules and regulations at the Airport.
“I hope that these crew members have learn new information that will contribute to enhancing compliance when discharging their roles.
“This is not to promote crew compliance, but also for the Airline Industry to also comply with the Customs Act to keep our borders safe while promoting legitimate travel,” Mr. Eric said.
Under the Customs Act, CAP 121, Rules Section 34 & 35, it highlights the Powers of Customs Officers Authority to Question, examine baggage, detain persons, and require the production and documentation of goods.
Also, Failure to declare dutiable or restricted goods, or concealment of goods, is an offence under the Customs Act, CAP 121, Rule Section 100 on Non-declaration and Concealment.
Aircraft crew members must comply with customs rules to uphold national security, prevent smuggling (drugs, weapons, cash), and ensure compliance with Tax and Duty obligations. They must declare personal items, alcohol, tobacco, or large cash sums to avoid severe penalties, including fines.
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