Simplification of Customs procedure for Port Clearance-reg. - Customs - 13/2015-16

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (EXPORT-II) NEW CUSTOM HOUSE, BALLARD ESTATE MUMBAI -400 001. F.No. S/6-B-14/2014-15 Exp.II Dated: 18/02/2016 PUBLIC NOTICE NO.: 13/2015-16 Subject : Simplification of Customs procedure for Port Clearance - reg. It has been observed that there is no uniformity regarding Customs procedure adopted at some ports/Customs stations which increases transaction cost and time of clearance. This also results in major constraints in making Indian ports international transhipment hubs. A Committee was setup by Ministry of Shipping for simplification of Shipping Customs procedure. Board has examined the recommendations of Committee in consultation with identified Chief Commissioners of Customs. The following decision has been taken to streamline the extent procedure for Port Clearance at various Ports. The port clearance requires submission of numerous documents on behalf of other agencies - Lighthouse Dues Certificate, NOC for Immigration, Port Health Certificate, etc. At present, the port clearance is given on execution of a bond/guarantee by the Steamer agents each time a vessel enters. As a measure of simplification, Board has decided to give an option to the steamer agent to give a continuity bond/guarantee for a period of one year for the said purpose. This would reduce the number of documents submitted each time the vessel enters. Attention of the Steamer agents is invited to the above decision of the Board and accordingly it is instructed that they may avail the said facility by submitting one time continuity bond (Advance Port Clearance/EDI Port Clearance) to the Dy./Asstt. Commissioner of Customs, Export Department, as per the format annexed herewith. ( Annexure-I.) The continuity bond shall be executed on stamp paper of ₹ 500/- being stamp duty, instead of ₹ 100/- since the same has been revised by the Govt. of Maharashtra, vide Act 20 of 2015 published in Govt. Gazette dated 24.04.2015 and substituted in Article 28 in Schedule I of Maharashtra Stamp Act. Except for the modification mentioned above, all other provisions of earlier Public Notices inter alia pertaining to Port clearance shall remain unchanged. Difficulties, if any, in implementation of these instructions may be immediately brought to the notice of undersigned. (SUVIR MISRA) Commissioner of Customs(EXPORT-ll) Mumbai-I. Encl: Annexure-I. ANNEXURE-I FORMAT FOR CONTINUITY BOND (ADVANCE PORT CLEARANCE) The Asst. Commissioner of Customs, Export, New Custom House, Mumbai. Sir, Sub: Continuity Bond/Guarantee for a period of one year from _______to_______ towards issuance of Port Clearance for vessels calling Mumbai Port pending submission of documents within seven days from the sailing of the vessel. Ref : Public No. 20/2014-15 dated 01.04.15 This Bond/Guarantee letter is being submitted/executed, for Advance Port Clearance being granted to our vessels calling Mumbai Port during the period from_______ to _______with submission of the following Certificates/Documents within seven days from the sailing of the vessel. INWARD CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FOR THE VESSEL. OUTWARD CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FOR THE VESSEL IMMIGRATION NOC FOR THE VESSEL PHO CERTIFICATE FOR THE VESSEL SHIP REGISTRY CERTIFCATE In the event of any failure on our part to submit the said documents within seven days from the sailing of the vessel, suitable action shall be initiated against us by the Customs as per provisions under Customs Act 1962. The vessels will be neither carrying any dangerous drugs, nor any consignments of Arms and Ammunition, fissionable material like Uranium, plutonium, thorium in the same bottom. We undertake to apply for renewal of this BOND/Guarantee prior it's expiry date. We would request you to kindly accept this Bond/Guarantee and issue us Bond/reference number that can be referred/furnished for all our vessels calling from Mumbai Port. Thanking You, Yours faithfully, For ____________ As Agents __________