travel

[fokrul]

For what reason do people pay 'gush' at the airport? Don't complain if you add to the problem by paying it.

The fact is there is no reason to pay this if people act properly by obtaining details about which goods are subject to customs duties and which not. If they are, then pay the duty and obtain an official receipt- at least that way the money goes to the Government (one hopes anyway).

The problem is that too many people from the Uk try to take things or too many items which they know isn't necessarily correct and to avoid the customs people checking their lugguage, they are prepared to pay a bribe. Alternatively they pay a bribe not to have their lugguage checked because of the extra hassle. The point is this is lazy behaviour and in any other country you must allow your lugguage to be checked if requested- so why is it such extra hassle in Bangladesh?

Because most Bangldeshi want to avoid the ordinary customs rules of the country they are prepared to pay bribes to customs people who are all too willing to bend or ignore rules for hard cash. I think travellers must not entirely blame the customs and take a good hard look at the reasons why themselves have to pay bribes and is it because they are asking the customs to ignore the contents of their lugguage which they know to contain items either not permitted or subject to other restrictions.

If you have any views on these matters, please do not hesitate to share them. It is after all a problem we all face and disheartening to see your own countrymen trying to fleece you before you set foot inside the country. If you want to change things, you have to start with yourself and ask yourself how I am contributing to this thing?

Fokrul Islam (Oldham)