The passenger protested after customs officials seized the phone he had purchased in Dubai and brought to Kerala.
A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from Kerala staged a sit-in protest at Kochi’s Nedumbassery Airport after customs officials reportedly seized an iPhone 18 Pro he had purchased in Dubai. Ajas Mohammed said the phone was for his personal use and that he refused to pay what he considered an unjust customs duty of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.
The incident has drawn attention on social media, where several expatriates have questioned how customs duties are applied to passengers bringing electronic devices into India.
According to Indian media reports, Nedumbassery Police have registered a case against Ajas for allegedly interfering with the duties of customs officers.
Ajas Mohammed Refuses to Pay Customs Duty
Ajas, founder of the learning platform Eduport, alleged that customs officials told him he would have to pay duty on the new iPhone because he was already carrying a second phone. When he refused to pay, officials seized the device, according to his account.
Ajas told Indian media that other passengers carrying iPhone Pro models had paid between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 in fees. He said he would not “give even one rupee unjustly.”
He subsequently decided to remain at the airport until his phone was returned, saying his protest would be peaceful. Ajas also alleged that personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) forcibly removed him from the site.
He is now in contact with his lawyers to seek the return of the seized phone.
Incident Sparks Debate Among NRIs
The protest has prompted discussions among expatriates, with some expressing support for Ajas and questioning the fairness of customs enforcement at Indian airports.
Some social media users alleged that passengers are routinely asked to pay duties they consider unjustified. Others argued that the application of customs rules can vary depending on the officer handling a case.
Ajas also questioned the claim that duty must be paid on items valued above Rs 75,000. He argued that if this threshold were applied in the way described to him, passengers could face duties on many iPhones, given the price of Apple’s devices.
These claims reflect the accounts shared by Ajas and other social media users. The precise circumstances of the seizure and the customs assessment have not been independently established in the supplied report.
What Does Indian Customs Law Say About Personal Effects?
Indian customs law defines personal effects as articles, whether new or used, that a passenger may reasonably need for personal use during a journey. The definition excludes goods brought into or taken out of the country for commercial purposes.
A 2026 circular states: “Only used personal effects required for satisfying daily necessities of life are allowed duty-free without limit.”
The distinction between used personal effects and newly purchased goods may be relevant to the dispute. However, the supplied account does not include the full circular, the specific customs provision officials applied, or an official explanation for the seizure.
The case has therefore raised questions about how customs rules apply to newly purchased personal electronics brought into India by returning residents and NRIs.
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The NRI had said if he did not get his phone, he would peacefully remain in the airport till the device was given to him. Photo: Screengrab from Instagram
Source: Gulf News
