Norms for levy of charges by Console Agents/Freight Forwarders –reg. - Customs - 24/2013

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE, COCHIN-682009 TRADE FACILITY No: 24/2013 F.No S.25/332/2012 I B Cus. Part I Dated: 08.08.2013 Sub: Norms for levy of charges by Console Agents/Freight Forwarders reg. This Custom House has been receiving complaints regularly from members of public about over charging by Console Agents and Freight Forwarders. This, in addition to bringing a bad name on this Department and all related stake holders, affects the volume of cargo handled by Cochin Port adversely. To tackle this problem and to bring about a level of uniformity in the pattern of charges levied by Console Agents and Freight Forwarders, a meeting was convened by undersigned on 25.07.2013 with Console Agents, Freight Forwarders and representatives of Cochin Customs Brokers Association and Cochin Steamer Agents Association. 2. Based on the discussions at the said meeting, it was arrived at the conclusion that maximum charges that are incurred by Console Agents and Freight Forwarders (on account of Terminal Handling Charges, Trailer Charges to CFS and back, De-stuffing charges, Lift off charges, Container Maintenance Charges, Survey Charges and related Sundry Expenses) would not exceed ₹ 27,800/-for 20 feet container and ₹ 36,600/-for 40 feet container. Taking an average space utilization of 25 CBM and 55 CBM respectively for 20 and 40 feet containers on the ground that space utilization of LCL cargo is below Hapag Lloyd Standard, the maximum charges leviable would work out to ₹ 1,112 per CBM for 20 foot container and ₹ 666 per CBM for 40 foot container that shall be rounded off to ₹ 1,100/- and ₹ 700/- for 20 ft. 40 ft. respectively. In addition to this, delivery order/documentation charges not exceeding ₹ 2,000/-per importer can also be levied by Console Agent/Freight Forwarders. This was accepted by all members attending the meeting. 3. it is brought to the notice of all concerned that where the freight is paid in full as CIF at the load port for delivery at Cochin Port, no other expenses, other than the expenses shown above, shall be levied from the importers/passengers. If any charges are to be levied from the importers/passengers on account of load port/transit port expenses, there should be a clear indication inscribed in the Master Bill of Lading as to the nature and the description of the additional expenses to be levied at the discharge port on account of load port/transit port expenses. 4. Complaints, if any, received from the importers/passengers about overcharging by console Agents/Freight Forwarders will be viewed very seriously and investigated. If found correct, the names of such Console Agents/ Freight Forwarders shall be deleted from the EDI System till such time the complaint is resolved and the excess money collected is returned. It is also cautioned that in case there is a complaint of overcharging against a particular Console Agent/ Freight Forwarder for three times consecutively, their name shall be permanently deleted from the EDI system and they shall not be permitted to conduct any transaction in this Custom House. 5. This Trade Facility is issued in public interest and as per Reg. 6(3) of Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations 2009 . It shall be displayed in the website of this Custom House. All Console Agents/Freight Forwarders are also directed to display them in their own websites as compliance to the above regulation. Sd/- (Dr. K.N. RAGHAVAN) COMMISSIONER