Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations, 2009 - Customs Permission - Concern of Shipping Ministry - Clarification by CBEC
THE Ministry of Shipping has pointed out that the developmental activities in respect of major ports on Public Private Partnership mode are taking place wherein private operators are constructing and operating terminals in the land leased out to them. Such projects require obtaining the approval of Minister of Shipping/ Finance Minister/ Cabinet Committee of Infrastructure depending upon the cost of the project. Hence, they had represented that specific permission from another authority i.e., the Commissioner of Customs is unwarranted. Hence, they had requested to exclude Major port trusts from the purview of the Regulations.
The Board clarified that though the major ports are not required to make an application for approval or renewal under these regulations, they are required to discharge the responsibilities cast upon them as specified in Regulation 6 which include obtaining written permission from the Commissioner of Customs prior to outsourcing or leasing part of the premises within a customs area. This has been provided in order to take into account the concerns of the revenue for safeguarding the duty on imported goods.
So, Board directs that all cases of lease, gift, sale or subletting or transfer of the premises in any other manner, in a customs area by major ports may be firstly examined to see whether required permission from the Central Government/ Ministry / Cabinet Committee has already been obtained or not. In cases where appropriate authority has already given permission for such lease or transfer of premises, then necessary written permission may be given by the Commissioner for such lease or transfer. On the contrary, if no approval of the Government has been obtained, then appropriate action may be initiated against the erring Custodian under the said Regulations and the Customs Act, 1962.
CBEC Circular No. 54/2011-Cus., Dated: December 29, 2011