Mr. Li: You've traveled abroad a lot, Tom, so would you like to tell me something about clearing customs1.

Tom: When you arrive in a country, you clear customs. A lot of countries have two channels: the green channel
and the red channel. Some countries, like India, have three channels: the white channel, the green channel and
the red channel.

Mr. Li: Then what are the differences between the green channel and red channel?

Tom: If you have more than the duty-free allowances2 or prohibited3 goods, you go through the red channel and
declare them to a customs officer. If you otherwise have nothing to declare, you go straight through the green
channel unless you are asked to stop by an officer.

Mr. Li: I see.

Mr. Li: I'm told that we'll have to state the purpose of going to a certain country, is it true?

Tom: That's right. People go aboard4 for different purposes: some for pleasure, some on vacation, some on
business, and some for other purposes.

Mr. Li: I'm going to New Zealand for sightseeing. What should I say if they ask about my purpose?

Tom: Just saying "sightseeing" is OK.




李先生：汤姆，你经常出国旅游，能向我介绍一下关于通关的情况吗？

汤姆：到达一个国家时要通关。许多国家的海关有两种通道：绿色通道和红色通道。还有些国家如印度有三种通道：白色通道、绿色通道和红色通道。

李先生：那么绿色通道和红色通道之间有什么区别呢？

汤姆：如果你携带的东西超出免税的范围或属于禁带物品，你就得从红色通道通过并向海关官员申报物品。如果你没有需要申报的物品而海关官员又没有阻拦你，你就可以直接通过绿色通道了。

李先生：我明白了。

李先生：我听说去一个国家时需要陈述旅行的目的，是吗？

汤姆：是的。人们出国都各有目的：有的为了消遣，有的出去度假，有的是因公出差，有的是为了其他目的。

李先生：我要去新西兰观光，如果他们问我旅行的目的我该怎么说呢？

汤姆：说“观光”就行了。