Special Valuation Cell (SVC), Custom House, Cochin conducted a study on the data quality in imports. - Customs - 03/2012

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE Willingdon Island, Cochin-682 009 Tel: 0484-2669158, EPABX: 0484 2666861-864 Fax: 0484-2668468. C1/01/2012-TU Cus. Date: 01.03.2012 TRADE FACILITY NO. 03/2012 Attention of all the Importers / CHAs and members of the Trade is invited to this Custom House Trade Facility Nos. 09/2010 dated 23.12.2010, regarding declaration of important and relevant details like Make, model, brand, specification, size, composition, Quality, strength, units, Botanical /chemical name etc while filing import/export documents and Public Notice No. 25/2011 dated 09.01.2012, regarding Bill of Entry (Electronic Declaration) Regulation, 2011. Recently, the Special Valuation Cell (SVC), Custom House, Cochin conducted a study on the data quality in imports through Cochin Sea Port. On analysis of import data for past few months, following common deficiencies in item description are noticed, in respect of following regularly imported items. Item Deficiency w.r.t Data Quality noticed 1. Duty free shop items (Liquor, Toffees, Food-stuff Torches etc) Only brand name is seen mentioned in many cases (Item-Beer/Wine/Other liquor/Toffee/Food stuff etc are not mentioned) 2. Footwear/Slippers Material of make (Rubber/Plastic/Synthetic) and Details (Gents/Ladies/Kids) not mentioned 3. Tiles Vitrified/Porcelain/ceramic/Quartz and Dimensions not mentioned 4. Veneer Type of wood (teak/softwood/other wood) 5. Light fittings Description as wall fittings, crystal fittings Pendant fittings etc; Item can be ascertained from CTH only 6. Roof Tiles Details as to whether ceramic/ordinary tiles and dimensions may be mentioned 7. Blanket, Clothes Material of make, Size 8. Paint Exterior/Interior/Automotive etc not indicated 9. Car accessories It is appropriate to declare Car accessories along with the items (declared as lamp, cover etc) 10.(a) Others Material of make not mentioned (i) Glassware articles (mentioned as Bowl, Plate etc only) (ii) Household utensils (mentioned as Pans/vessels/Plates/Mugs etc only); (iii) Hardware items like Nails/screws/Hinges/Door handles etc (Material of make ,ie, Steel/Stainless steel/Brass etc not mentioned) (iv) Pipe fittings (Material of make ,ie, Plastic/steel/Brass etc not mentioned) (v) Carpets/Door mats/ Made-ups etc 10.(b) Dimensions not mentioned (i) Kitchen/household utensils(Plates/Pan/other vessels etc); (ii) Television (screen size, LCD/CRT etc not mentioned) ; Screw/Nails, Wall paper (iii) Carpets/Door mats 10.(c) Specifications not mentioned (i) Co-axial cable (Copper/steel clad etc); (ii) Pans/utensils (Teflon coated etc) As the eligibility for facilitation under RMS is decided on the basis of relevant factors including the item description, it is necessary to mention the relevant details in the item description. Moreover, absence of relevant details may lead to amendments before clearance resulting in delay. Therefore, it is re-iterated that while filing Import/Export documents, proper description of goods may be furnished, keeping in mind the common/ regular deficiencies (listed above) noticed. The trade and stakeholders are advised to follow the above guidelines scrupulously. Difficulties faced, if any, may please be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs, Cochin Customs. (VIJAY KALSI) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS