When arriving at many international ports, airports and border crossings, travelers have to pass through Customs examination on luggage and hand-carried things. Customs Department has made colored lines Channel System to simplify and expedite this process. The Channel System separated into Red, Green and (for some country) Blue Channels.
The Green Channel exclusively designed for travelers who have nothing to declare. It means they carry goods not exceeding to Customs limitation and not carrying prohibited items. Travelers who pass through the Green Channel are excluded from Customs Examination. Nevertheless, based on risk management there is always a possibility that the Customs will hold a random examination of travelers who pass through this channel. If a traveler walk through Green Channel is found to bring goods exceeding Customs limitation or carrying prohibited items, he/she may be prosecuted for making false declaration to Customs.
For travelers who carry goods exceeding to Customs Limitation or bring prohibited goods, they have to go through Red Channel. It is also a must for travelers who are having dutiable commodities but are not included to duty-free concession, or exceeding their duty-free concession. Customs Officer will do physical check on luggage and hand-carried goods brought by travelers. From physical examinations, the Customs Officer taking notes on specification of goods (amount of items, type, brand etc) so they can calculate the value of Customs Import Duty or taxes travelers should pay.
Most countries are familiar with this Red & Green Channels Customs procedure, except United States and Canada.
European Union has a special Customs Procedure named Blue Channel System. Travelers who travelling between EU countries do not have to pay tax nor customs duties because EU have Customs Union. Goods for sale may require to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) and Excise duties, but these are collected later after being sold, not at the border/port/airport. Travelers arriving from other EU country have their luggage being marked with green tags, so they can directly go through Blue Channel. Customs officer may still checking the luggage for prohibited or restricted goods.
