Customs procedure for shipment of export cargo/import cargo to/from Bangladesh by the inland waterways route from Haldia Docks Complex-reg - Customs - 050/03

Circular No. 50/2003-Cus 12 th June, 2003 F.No. 550/17/2001-LC Government of India Ministry of Finance Company Affairs Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise Customs Sub: Customs procedure for shipment of export cargo/import cargo to/from Bangladesh by the inland waterways route from Haldia Docks Complex-reg. I am directed to refer to Board’s Circular No. 89/2002-Cus, dtd 17.12.2002, and to say that in view of certain operational difficulties in implementing the procedure laid down in aforesaid circular, dtd 17.12.2002, for customs clearance of the export cargo, brought out by the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Kolkata, the matter has been re-examined by the Board. It has been decided to allow movement of export cargo to Bangladesh by the inland waterways route from Haldia Docks Complex. The revised procedure in this regard shall be as follows: (i) IWAI Terminal at Haldia, or for that matter, any point of loading (for export to Bangladesh through riverine route) within the jurisdiction of CC (Port) which includes so much of the Hooghly River as is downstream of the northern limit of Kolkata Port and all land which is within 10 kms of the high water mark at spring tide of either side of the river may be declared as a place for loading (of export goods) and unloading (of import goods) by CC (Port) under section 8 of the Customs Act. (ii) Once that is done, the officers under CC(Port) will supervise and seal the loading of export goods in the barges and allow sailing under a document same as or analogous to ARE-I and in the same way as is done in respect of examination and sealing of export goods by Central Excise Officers in the licenced premises of the manufacturer. (iii) Export formalities like filing of Shipping Bill and its assessment, etc., will be done by the Office of CC (Preventive), West Bengal, Kolkata, on the basis of the said ARE-I Form duly signed by the Customs Officers at the point of loading . (iv) Final clearance may be given at Namkhana on examination of the seal. 2. These instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned by way of issuance of suitable Pubic Notice/Standing Orders. 3. Difficulties, if any, faced in the implementation of above instructions may be brought to the notice of the Board. Kindly acknowledge receipt of the Circular. S.M. Akhter Under Secretary to the Government of India