September 13, 2026

Section 100. Power to Search Suspected Persons Entering or Leaving India, Etc. – Customs Act, 1962

Customs Act, 1962 — Chapter XIII: Searches, Seizure and Arrest

100. Power to search suspected persons entering or leaving India, etc.

If an officer of customs empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs has reason to believe that a person to whom this section applies has secreted about his person any goods liable to confiscation or documents relating thereto, he may search that person. This section applies to any person who has landed from, or is about to board, or is on board, any vessel; any person who has landed from or is leaving, or is in, a customs area; any person leaving India; any person suspected of having secreted about his person goods liable to confiscation and reasonably suspected of being smuggled goods, or documents relating thereto.