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Passenger stages sit-in at Kochi airport over customs duty

Kochi, Kerala, India · Oct 25, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Oct 25.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
A passenger protested after customs officials seized his newly purchased iPhone 18 Pro over a dispute regarding import duty.
What they want
The return of his seized iPhone without having to pay customs duty.
What changed
Oct 26: Nedumbassery police registered a case against the passenger for allegedly interfering with customs duties.
WhatsAppPost on X

Both sides

What protesters want

  • Return of the seized iPhone 18 Pro
  • Exemption from customs duty for personal items

What authorities say

Nedumbassery police registered a case against the protester for allegedly interfering with the duties of customs officers, according to reports.1234

The full story

An air passenger staged a sit-in protest at Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery, Kochi, after customs officials seized an iPhone 18 Pro bought in Dubai. The protester, identified as a learning platform founder, argued the device was intended solely for personal use and refused to pay an import duty demand ranging between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000. Customs officials stated that exemptions apply only to devices already in use for some time, noting he carried another unregistered phone and exceeded baggage rules. The protester alleged that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel forcibly removed him from the airport. Nedumbassery police subsequently registered a case against him for obstructing public officials.

Timeline

  1. Nedumbassery police registered a case against the passenger for allegedly obstructing customs officials.1234

  2. A passenger staged a sit-in at Kochi airport after customs officials seized his Dubai-purchased iPhone 18 Pro.12

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