International Customs Day Celebration and award of WCO Certificate of Merit – Reg. - Customs - F.No.11000/7/2012 – IC (ICD)

F.No.11000/7/2012 IC (ICD) Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise and Customs WCO Cell, 2nd Floor, Bhai Veer Singh Sahitya Sadan, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Gol Market, New Delhi-110001 Tel: +91-11-23741536, Fax: +91-11-23741542 Email- [email protected] New Delhi 24.12.2012 To, Chief Commissioners of Customs Chief Commissioners of Customs Preventive Chief Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise Chief Commissioner of Central Excise (TAR) Directors General (All) Commissioners/Director in all Directorates The Chief Departmental Representative, CESTAT Joint Secretaries/Commissioners posted in the Board Subject: International Customs Day Celebration and award of WCO Certificate of Merit Reg. Madam/Sir, The Convention establishing the Customs Co-operation Council was signed on 15th December 1950 in Brussels and entered into force two years later on 4th November 1952. The official inauguration session of the Council was held in Brussels on 26th January 1953 with the participation of representatives of 17 countries. In 1994 the Customs Co-operation Council adopted a new name - World Customs Organization (WCO). On 26th January every year the Customs administrations of Member States (currently 179 Members) of the WCO organize various national events to celebrate the first session of the Customs Co-operation Council. On its part, the WCO Secretariat chooses a theme for the International Customs Day. 2. This being the Republic Day of India, it has been decided that the International Customs Day shall be celebrated on 5th February, 2013. It has been decided by the Board that the function in this regard that would be held in New Delhi would be organized by Delhi Customs in coordination with DRI. As part of the celebrations, members of the trade, office bearers of CHA Associations, senior level officers of other departments associated with Customs and other stakeholders would be invited to the function. 3. This year WCO has decided to dedicate International Customs Day, 26th January, 2013 with the theme Innovation for Customs progress. On this occasion, the Customs officers who have demonstrated dedication in their work, as well as representatives of the private sector or the academic field would be awarded WCO Certificate of Merit . 4. You are requested to nominate suitable officers or representatives of the private sector with the justification/proposal for their nomination. The nomination (along with the vigilance clearance certificate in case of customs officers) and the justification/proposal should reach the Joint Secretary (Customs), CBEC by 7th January, 2013, so that their names can be considered for awarding the certificate. The nomination may also be sent by email [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] 5. Further, the field formations are requested to celebrate International Customs Day on 5th February, 2013 in a suitable manner and send a report along with photographs (soft copies to the e-mails in para 4 above) of their activities on the occasion to the Board. Yours faithfully, (Kajal Singh) Additional Commissioner WCO Cell Copy to: 1. The Director General, DRI, New Delh 2. Commissioner, Directorate of Publicity and Public Relations, New Delhi (with a request to coordinate the messages for the supplement in the leading newspapers). 3. Chief Commissioner of Customs, Delhi Zone, New Custom House, New Delhi.