Simplification of Customs Procedures - CBEC Instructions
THE avoidable delays on account of non-uniform Customs procedures adopted at some ports/Customs stations not only increase transaction cost and time of clearance but also prove to be major constraints in making Indian ports international transshipment hubs. Therefore, a Committee was set up by Ministry of Shipping for simplification of shipping related Customs procedures. The Committee has made, certain recommendations for implementation by Customs:
CBEC has examined the recommendations and Board has taken some decisions:
1. Henceforth the number of hard copies of IGM required to be submitted by shipping lines/steamer agents at a Customs House shall be restricted to 2 (two) only.
2. At present, the port clearance is given on the strength of a bond and a guarantee which are given each time a vessel enters. As a measure of simplification, Board has decided to give an option to the steamer agent to (a) give a continuity bond and (b) merge the guarantee with the continuity bond. This would reduce the number required documents from 2 (two) to1 (one)and periodicity (of submission) would also get reduced drastically.
3. Recognizing the need for reducing number of copies of SMTP, Board has decided that only 1 (one) copy of SMTP would be sufficient and Customs at ICD should not insist on more number of hard copies of SMTP (Sub Manifest Transhipment Permit).
4. With a view to boost inter-modal transportation of transshipped cargo and simply [perhaps what the Board meant is 'simplify'] procedure, Board has decided that henceforth no separate permission is required from jurisdictional Customs in case of change of mode of transshipment under the Goods Imported (Conditions of Transhipment) Regulations, 1995. However, the carrier is required to intimate the change to the jurisdictional Commissioner of Customs who will ensure the bond covers both modes of transport.
Board wants the Chief Commissioners to ensure that the decisions are complied with strictly by field formations.
CBEC Circular No. 02/2015-Cus., Dated: January 15, 2015