A traveler arriving at Kochi International Airport from Dubai initiated a sit-in protest in the arrival terminal after customs officials seized his iPhone 18 Pro. The confrontation occurred during the standard baggage screening process, where officials determined the device was subject to import duties or restrictions that the passenger had not satisfied.

According to reports, the passenger refused to leave the customs area, opting to sit on the floor in protest of the confiscation. This action drew attention from airport security and other travelers, briefly disrupting the flow of the arrivals hall. While the specific legal grounds for the seizure—such as whether the passenger was carrying multiple devices or failed to declare the item—were not detailed in initial reports, the incident highlights the ongoing friction between international travelers and customs authorities regarding the import of high-end electronics.

Customs officials maintained that they were following standard operating procedures regarding the declaration of goods. The passenger, conversely, expressed frustration with the enforcement of these rules, leading to the public demonstration. The situation was eventually managed by airport security personnel, though the status of the confiscated device remains unresolved as of the latest reports.