Sale of imported goods on High Seas Regarding. - Customs - 14/2014

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS NEW CUSTOMS BLDG, NR. BALAJI TEMPLE KANDLA 370 210 KACHCHH, GUJARAT PHONE : 02836-271468-469 FAX : 271467 F.No. S/20-152/2014-15-AG Dated:--26/09/2014 PUBLIC NOTICE 14/2014 Sub:- Sale of imported goods on High Seas Regarding. In terms of Para 2.24 pf the Foreign Trade Policy (2004-2009) sale of goods on high seas for importation into India is permitted subject to the said policy or any other law for the time being in force. 2. Attention of importers, Custom Brokers, Trade is invited to the clearance procedure to be adopted regarding sale of goods on High Seas. The following norms are hereby prescribed in respect of the clearance of consignment imported on High Seas Sale basis:- 3. The Custom Broker/Importers will submit application alongwith the following High Seas Sale (HSS) documents to the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner in-charge:- (i) Original Bill of Lading or a Non-Negotiable copy of the Bill of Lading duly endorsed by both the parties, in case the non-negotiable copy is not available, a photocopy of the Bill of Lading duly authenticated by the concerned Shipping Line/ Steamer Agent, (ii) High seas sale contract, in original, (iii) Original Bank attested invoice in support of the transaction, (iv) Authority letter from the importer addressed to DC/AC in-charge authorizing Customs Broker for processing of the HSS documents. 4. The HSS contract must be notarized on or before the date of filing of import General Manifest in terms of Section 30 of the Customs Act, 1962 . The date of notarization of HSS contract will be the date for purpose of Customs registration. 5. No amendments in respect to description or any other particular given in the HSS contract will be allowed to be amended after registration with Customs. 6. The application submitted to the Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner in-charge shall be marked to the concern import assessment group Appraiser/Superintendent who will check the genuineness of the HSS contract and other documents for alert in respect of buyer and seller and description of goods. After satisfaction, the said documents by the concerned import assessment group Appraiser / Superintendent will be forwarded to the Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner in-charge with recommendation for granting permission of HSS or otherwise. 7. After approval by the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner in-charge the HSS contract will be sent to the concerned import assessment group Appraiser/Superintendent who shall register the HSS contract and make an entry in the register for maintaining record for the HSS contract accepted by the respective import assessment group. Also a copy of the HSS contract shall be kept in custody for future reference. 8. The High Sea Sales Buyer can also file a prior Bill of Entry before getting the High Seas Sale registered in the concerned import assessment group. Such Bill of Entry would be taken up for assessment by the Appraising Groups. At the time of assessment, the importer i.e. High Seas Sales buyer will produce the proof of registration of HSS in he concerned import assessment group. In the event of failure, the Bill of Entry will be assessed by the Appraiser/ Superintendent on the condition that the proof of registration of HSS contract is to be produced before the Examining Officer at the time of registration of the goods. It will be the responsibility of the importer to produce such proof to the examining officer at the time of Examination of the goods, without which the Out-of-Charge will not be permitted by the shed Appraiser/ Superintendent. 9. These work procedure will come into force with immediate effect. 10. The procedure may be followed by all and any difficulties in implementation/ compliance of the public notice may be brought to the notice of the undersigned. (CAPT. SANJAY GAHLOT) Commissioner