Customs demands up to Rs 30,000 duty for iPhone 18 Pro; expat stages sit-in protest at airport

KOCHI: An expatriate staged a sit-in protest at Nedumbassery Airport after Customs officials allegedly told him that he would have to pay nearly Rs 30,000 in duty to take his iPhone 18 Pro out of the airport. Ajas Mohammed, founder of the learning platform Eduport, staged the protest. Following the incident, the Nedumbassery police registered a case against him for allegedly obstructing Customs officials from performing their duties.

Ajas said he had purchased the iPhone for personal use. However, as he was carrying another mobile phone, Customs officials asked him to pay nearly Rs 30,000 in duty for the new device. When he refused to pay, the officials seized the iPhone. Ajas maintained that he was not willing to pay any unjustified duty. He also alleged that other passengers carrying iPhones had to pay up to Rs 30,000 to take their phones out of the airport.

"I decided to stage a peaceful protest until my phone was returned. However, CISF personnel used force to remove me from the spot," he said.

Customs officials said duty is applicable to items valued above Rs 75,000. Ajas is now planning to take legal action to recover his phone.

Following the incident, several expatriates have voiced their protest on social media. They alleged that Customs officials unfairly impose duty on personal belongings and that the amount demanded varies depending on the mood of the officials