• I Paid A Bribe
• 14 years ago
• 793 views

Paid bribe to collect my personal camera sent through courier.

• Customs, Excise and Service Tax
• Customs Check and Clearance
• Paid INR 1,000

I had a digital camera that I brought in India. My french friend borrowed my camera in India for her multi-country tour. After her tour she returned to France. She sent me back my camera through courier (French Post).

I got a letter from Customs office that my camera had arrived and I am supposed to collect it. When I arrived there I found a lady (Asst Commissner or Commissner of Customs) incharge there. Upon approaching her she referred me to another lady outside her room. This second lady openly demanded for 8000 ruppees. I got angry and started shouting. Then a man joined her and started convincing me. When I showed the bill of purchase to prove that this camera was brought in India and was being returned, still they didnt agree. So I knew that to get my camera back I had to shell out the money. Thus upon hard bargaining I managed to get the price down to 1000 ruppees. Upon payment I got my camera back.

Tough bargain but custom dogs are always cheap :)