The Chennai international Airport is currently serving the metropolitan city of Chennai. The old name of the city was Madras and thus, the Chennai International Airport is also popularly known as MAA or Madras International Airport. Situated near Pallavaram, this international airport is approximately 9 miles in distance from South of the city.

Chennai International Airport is currently the third busiest airport in India other than Delhi and Mumbai International airports that receive many cheap flights of Mumbai and Delhi. The airport handles over 10 million domestic and international passengers every year. This ISO 9001-2000 certified airport includes newly constructed international and domestic terminals, over bridges, parallel runway, multilevel car parking and multiple conveyor belts.

Terminal Features

The domestic and the international terminals have building that also includes a restaurant and administrative office. Apart from that, the terminals also feature fundamental passenger amenities like snack vending machines, retiring rooms, communication centers, health scan, dormitory accommodation, internet connectivity and many others. For handicapped passengers, the Chennai international Airport has special assistance and reserved parking area.

Immigration Guidelines

The Chennai International Airport has separate air bridges, check-in counters, security gates and conveyor belts for domestic and international passengers. All the arriving/departing international passengers need to go though the immigration process before leaving the airport. Completely filled arrival/departure forms, passport and other necessary documents need to be presented. Make sure that you carry appropriate visa to enter into India via Chennai International Airport.

Customs Guidelines

Just like any other international airport in India, the Chennai international airport also has two channels. The passengers with no dutiable item passes through the green gate and the passengers with dutiable items need to proceed through the red channel. Before you show up for the customs, you must check:

1. The free allowance limits

2. The value of the dutiable item you are carrying

3. That you have completed the custom declaration slip

In case you have some dutiable items or if you are not sure whether or not an item is dutiable, it is advisable that you proceed through the red channel. If you fail to declare the dutiable item, you might be charged with severe penalties.

If the value of the dutiable item is under the free allowance limits and you are not carrying any prohibited good, you can pass through the green channel without any difficulty. The custom officers may check your baggage in regards to the details filled on your custom declaration slip. If required, the officers may also examine your baggage via x-ray screening.

The arrival hall of the Chennai International Airport features the bank counters to deposit the charged duty. The custom officers do not collect any custom duties directly. The bank counters are operated by Bank Of India.

Prohibited Items

The goods that are prohibited for import or export come under the law of custom act. Some of the items that are prohibited include:

• Dangerous chemicals
• Wild animals and their parts or products
• Narcotic drugs
• Human skeleton and many others

Other than the prohibited goods, there also are certain restricted items, such as:

• Arms & ammunition
• Drugs and medicines
• Antiques or replicas
• Sandal wood
• Valuable jewelry and some other items

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