Specified Import Cargo- Fast Track Clearance Procedure - Customs - 063/97

Circular No. 63/97-Cus. dated 21/11/97 F.No. 446/ 5/ 97- CUS.IV Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise and Customs, New Delhi Subject: 'Fast track Clearance' for goods imported by eligible importers. Your kind attention is invited to the Board's circular letter F.No. 450/ 68/93- Cus. IV dated 10.6.94 prescribing a procedure for expeditious assessment and clearance of goods and Board's Circular F. No. 450/ 51/ 92-Cus.IV, dated 25.5.92 prescribing a self-assessment procedure for Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and other importers fulfilling certain conditions. 2. A review of the working of these procedures has revealed that on account of several factors many importers have not been able to avail of the procedures or have preferred to observe the usual procedure for reasons of their own. The procedure, as observed, has, however, been generally perceived to be restrictive in its application. 3. Taking note of the above perception and the representation of trade interests to liberalise the procedure further, it has been decided by the Board to introduce a 'Fast Track Clearance' scheme for certain identified categories of imports. The scheme would be available initially at the sea ports of Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Cochin, Kandla, Nhava-sheva, Visakhapatnam and the air cargo complexes at Delhi, Sahar, Chennai Calcutta, Bangalore and ICD at Tughlakabad, Delhi. This scheme, apart from facilitating quick clearance of the goods imported by eligible importers, would have the way for redeployment of appraising staff in the more critical and sensitive areas. 4. The salient features of "Fast Track Clearance" scheme are as follows:- A. Categories of Eligible Importers : Only the following categories of importers would be eligible to avail of the scheme : (i) Government Departments; (ii) Public Sector Undertakings engaged in manufacture; (iii) Units located in the various Export Processing Zones; (iv) All 100% EOUs including units in HTP and STP; (v) Central Government approved Research Institutions and Test Houses; (vi) Top 20 importers in terms of their duty payment in major Custom House and top 5 importers of other customs formations; (vii) Manufacturer - importer of electronic goods having investment of Rs. 30 crores and above. Note : Major Custom House for this purpose would be - Seaports at Mumbai, Nhava-Sheva, Calcutta and Chennai and air cargo complexes at Sahar and Delhi and other Customs formations would be Kandla, Visakhapatnam, Cochin Ports, Chennai (Air Cargo), Cochin Bangalore (Air Cargo) and ICD at Tughlakabad. Importers who have been found to be involved in any proven case of fraud, forgery or suppression of facts, are, however, Not eligible to avail of the scheme. B. Goods not Covered under the Scheme : (I) Goods for which an import licence or the execution of a Bond and or Bank guarantee is required i.e. other than cases where an LUT is prescribed / is required under the EXIM Policy; and (ii) Goods which are enumerated in the list at Annexure I to this letter, (which list may be amended from time to time) except when they are imported by importers covered under A(i) to A (v). C. Goods also Eligible for the Treatment Envisaged Under the Scheme The facility available under the scheme can also be extended to the following goods even when they are imported by any importer: (i) Pulses (ii) Bulk imports of sulphur, rock phosphate and coal (iii) Fertilisers (iv) Crude petroleum and petroleum products (v) All goods falling under Chapter 86 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (vi) Project imports D. Pre-Availment Requirement (i) An importer desirous of availing of the scheme shall file an application (Annex.II) with the concerned Custom House and obtain a registration number. (ii) An importer who has been extended the benefit of the scheme should maintain a minimum balance of Rs. 5 lakhs in his Personal Deposit Account (PDA/ C) as long as he avails of the scheme. (iii) An importer desirous of availing of the scheme would also give an undertaking to the effect that he would be fully responsible for any error or mis-statement in relation to the declarations made of the goods imported under the scheme or any documents submitted and he agrees to pay short assessed or paid. (iv) The importer shall submit, along with the Bill of Entry, the name and Telephone and Fax number of the Manager / Executive or authorised representative who can be contacted by the Special Group for query, if any, in connection with the import of the consignment.