Turant Customs – Turant Suvidha Kendra and Other Initiatives for Contactless Customs

[Pankaj Arora]

CBIC vide their Circular No. 32/2020-Customs dated 06^th July, 2020 has introduced a programme in the name of “Turant Customs” which aimed at providing a ‘Faceless, Contactless & Paperless’ Customs administration.

Further CBIC has recently introduced a number of initiatives that leverage technology in order to enhance the efficiency in the Customs clearance processes thereby leading to; 

• Speedy clearances, 
• Transparency in decision making, 
• Ease of doing business, 
• Reduce physical contact in the prevailing pandemic situation, 
• Automated clearances of Bills of Entry, 
• Digitization of Customs documents, paperless clearance, Faceless Assessment and
• Establishment of Turant Suvidha Kendra in All Customs Formations

For the aforementioned initiatives and with the view to apply the reforms at PAN –India, certain measure needs to take by the board. The same are mentioned below.

1. TURANT SUVIDHA KENDRA (TSK's) IN ALL CUSTOM FORMATIONS:

To provide single phase interface, Board has decided to extend (TSKs) to all the custom formation. The principal/ chief commissioner is advised to set up the TSKs in all custom station by 15.07.2020.

The scheme of (TSKs) would be as follows-

• Documents verification at assessment and custom compliance verification (CCV) would be based on document uploaded in the e-Sanchit.
• Physical submission of any documents only required in exceptional case for defacement or validation and need to submit at TSKs only.
• Documents requiring verification during examination would continue, as at present.
• Set up of One or more TSKs for the convenience
• To devise procedure for handling & safe keeping of document produced. 

2. REGISTRATION OF AUTORISED DEALER CODE , BANK ACCOUNT THROUGH ICEGATE :

1. Presently, Exporters are required to register the Authorized Dealer (AO) code and Bank account(s) to avail export benefits at every custom stations. Due to physical Interaction, it cause delays impacting exports and exporter or its representative to visit Custom House.
2. Now, CBIC enabled a functionality within ICEGATE Login allowing the exporters  

• To make online request for registration/modification of AO Code/ Bank account
• Submit the passbook copy/ bank authorization letter at e-Sanchit.

The detailed step-by-step guide is available on the ICEGATE portal at https://www.icegate.gov.in/Download/Bank_Account_Management_Advisory.pdf

3. AUTOMATED DEBIT OF BOND AFTER ASSESSMENT:

Presently, importers or their representatives are required to physically visit Customs House for physical debit of bonds after Bill of Entry is returned (to importer) for Payment of Duty.

Now, it has been decided that ICES would automatically debit the BOND and reflect same in first copy of Bill of Entry, provided the details of Bond are provided during submission of Bill of Entry.

4. SIMPLIFIED REGISTRATION OF IMPORTERS/EXPORTERS IN ICEGATE:

Presently, simplified registration module for Importers / Exporters based on verification provided in associated GSTIN has been provided without requirement of digital signature but;

• Many Importers / Exporters have not availed the same or;
• Various functionalities available in ICEGATE portal cannot be accessed by them and;
• Some of these functionalities are Management of Bank Accounts, Ledger View, IGST Refund Status, Query Reply etc.

Therefore, it has been decided that Importers / Exporters are advised to register on ICEGATE and conduct their Customs clearances through electronic interface.

The simplified registration on ICEGATE can be done by following the steps given in below link:

https://www.icegate.gov.in/Download/Advisory_for_Simplified_%20Registration_at_ICEGA TE _v1.pdf