Freedom of travel

Exemption from inspection of personal luggage

Exemption from social security provisions

Exemption from custom dues

A diplomatic agent and members of his family forming part of his household (provided that they are not nationals or permanent residents of the host state) are entitled (in accordance with local regulations, which must not defeat diplomatic privilege) to import articles for their personal use, including articles required for the upkeep of their establishment, and are exempt from customs and other similar dues in respect of such articles. They are, however, liable to related charges for services, e.g. storage and cartage; and must comply with the regulations of the host state in respect of any articles imported duty-free that they subsequently sell or otherwise dispose of.

A diplomatic agent and members of his family forming part of his household (provided that they are not nationals or permanent residents of the host state) are exempt from the social security provisions of the host state. Private servants in the sole employ of a diplomatic agent are also exempt, provided that they are not nationals or permanent residents of the host state and that they are covered by the social security provisions of their own state; and a diplomatic agent is obliged to comply with the social security provisions in force in respect of any person he employs who is not so exempt. In some states he may be permitted to participate in their social security scheme if he so wishes; and in others his position may be covered by an existing agreement between the host state and his own state.

A diplomatic agent and members of his family forming part of his household (provided that they are not nationals or permanent residentsof the host state) are exempt from the inspection of personal luggage, unless there are serious grounds for believing that it contains articles that do not come within the scope of the privileges permitted, or illegal imports or exports. In this event the inspection is conducted only in the presence of the diplomatic agent or of his authorized representative.

All members of the staff of a diplomatic mission are, in theory, entitled to travel freely and without restriction in the state in which they are serving, except in those areas to which access is limited on grounds of national security. This principle is not always adhered to and certain states limit the freedom of certain diplomats to special travel zones; and in such cases a policy of reciprocity is usually adopted.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27