Английский язык. Конова М.А. - 5 стр.

   particulars                              необходимые сведения, подробности
   effects                                  движимое имущество
   personal effects                         личные вещи
   to go through one’s luggage              досматривать багаж
   to smuggle                               заниматься контрабандой
   to pass through                          пройти таможенный досмотр
   the customs (inspection)
   as the case might be                     в зависимости от обстоятельств



      1.2 Read the text and translate it using the dictionary

                                       Text A
                               At the Customs House

      The moment a traveller crosses the border their luggage is taken to the
customs-house by porters. Every country has its own customs regulations, which
stipulate what articles are liable to duty and what are duty-free.
      Sometimes an article which falls under customs restrictions and is liable to
duty is allowed in duty-free if the traveller does not exceed a certain fixed quota.
These are listed in a duty-free quota list. Customs restrictions also include a
prohibited articles list. This is a list of items which may not be brought into a
country or taken out of it. An official paper (from the proper authorities) giving
permission to take items, which fall under special customs restrictions, in or out of
a country is known as an import or export license.
     If the traveller has any item which comes under customs restrictions he is
asked to declare it. That is, he is asked to name the item, stating its value and other
particulars. The declaration is made either orally or in writing on a special form.
The practice seems to vary in different countries. Upon payment of duty the
traveller is given a receipt. As a rule personal effects are duty-free.
      It sometimes happens that a passenger’s luggage is carefully gone through in
order to prevent smuggling. The formalities at the customs-house usually take
some time. Only after passing through the customs does one realize that their
journey is drawing to an end (or beginning, as the case might be).
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     1.2.1 Answer the following questions:

          1) What are the duties of a customs inspector?
          2) What is the meaning of the question ”Have you anything to declare”
             one hears at the customs-house so often?
          3) What is the phrase “ I have nothing to declare” mean?
          4) Do customs restrictions vary in different countries?