Standard Operating Procedure for movement of import/export cargo laden trucks between India & Bangladesh through Land Customs Station, Integrated Check Post (ICP), Petrapole-regd. - Customs - 04/2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (PREV.) WEST BENGAL, KOLKATA CUSTOMS HOUSE 3RD FLOOR. :15/1 STRAND ROAD : KOLKATA-700001 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 04/2016 Dated: 11.02.2016 Subject: Standard Operating Procedure for movement of import/export cargo laden trucks between India Bangladesh through Land Customs Station, Integrated Check Post (ICP), Petrapole- regd. Attention of all Exporters, Customs House Agents (CHAs) and members of the Trade is invited to the Notification No.01/2016 dt. 11.02.2016 read with Notification No.02/2016 dt. 11.02.2016 declaring therein the Customs Area with regard to the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Petrapole with effect from 12th February 2016. The Integrated Check Post, Petrapole is constituted with:- a) Mukhya Bhawan (Main Building); accommodates (a) The Joint Commissioner's chamber (b) Two chamber for D.C./ A.C. (c) Service Centre CHA room (b) Export Section (c) Bank Extension counter (c) EGM print room (manned by officers of Preventive Unit). b) Cargo/Import Building: accommodates (a) The D. C./ A.C.'s chamber (b) Impo Section (b) Service Centre (c) Bank Extension counter (d) CWC office c) Warehouse Nos. 1 with Cold storage facility, Warehouse Nos 2 Warehouse Nos. 3 (For Import cargo), Warehouse No. 4 (For Export cargo), d) Building for Plant, Food and Animal Quarantine. e) Service Centre and Bank's extension counter in both Main Building and Cargo/Import Building. f) Security rummaging point g) Weighing bridge in Import area of the ICP, Petrapole. h) Separate Parking lot for Export/Import Trucks. i) Separate lane for movement of Import and Export Cargo: Road extending from the CWC entry gate No.3 that passes in front of Main Building to the Zero point, has been designated for movement of Export cargo laden trucks and empty Bangladeshi trucks returning to Bangladesh. Road extending from the zero point of LCS, Benapole; Bangladesh to CWC exit gate, Petrapole has been designated for entry of Import Cargo laden Bangladeshi trucks upto Import Cargo Terminal and empty Export trucks returning to India. 1. The detailed Standard Operating Procedure is hereby prescribed for the movement of import/export cargo laden and empty trucks between India and Bangladesh through Integrated Check Post, Petrapole for strict compliance by all the officers and staff posted there. 2. Cargo laden trucks carrying import goods and export goods would enter/exit Indian/Bangladesh territories up to the specified Customs Area of the other country for un-loading of the cargo and shall return to their respective countries on the same day after unloading. The operation of the Cargo movement shall take place between 06:00 Hrs. to 18:00 Hrs. (IST) [In Summer) and 06:00 Hrs. to 17:00 Hrs. (IST) (In Winter) or any other liberalized timing agreed by the customs authorities of both the countries. 3. The movement of the trucks and the cargo clearance shall be as per the standard operating procedure prescribed below:- Import Cargo (i) Movement of Cargo Trucks from LCS, Bangladesh to ICP, Petrapole: Car Pass system : Detailed procedure of 'Car Pass' system and movement of Cargo from Bangladesh to India has been prescrided as per Public Notice No. 02/P.N./CUS/P/WB/2012, DT. 18.01.2012 issued by the C.C. (P), Kolkataq, W.B. The car pass is valid for a single entry/exit, and would allow movement of the cargo vehicle up to the specified ICP, Petrapole in India subject to satisfactory completion of all clearance formalities at the Integrated Check Post, Petrapole. Bangladeshi trucks carrying Import cargo will enter into ICP, Petrapole through end point of LCS, Benapole. Driver of the truck will submit Car pass issued by the Bangladesh Customs in triplicate to the Preventive unit officer stationed at zero point. The truck will be permitted to enter into the Indian Territory after endorsement in Car Pass by the P. U. Officer. Duplicate and triplicate copy of shall be handed over to the Driver keeping the Original by the P.U. Officer as office copy. After entry into Indian territory, the truck will be permitted up to Import Warehouse Nos. 1, 2 or 3 of the Integrated Check Post, Petrapole following security rummaging and weighment. Similar procedure would apply for Export goods laden trucks to Bangladesh mutatis mutandis. (ii) Filing of Import General Manifest (IGM): As per P. N. No. 06/2013, Dt. 07/11/2013 issued by the C. C. (P), Kolkata, W.B.; The CHAs or other persons as envisaged under Section 30 of the Customs Act, 1962 shall submit the Import General Manifest (IGM) electronically through Indian Customs EDI System (ICES 1.5) at Service Centre in Import Cargo building, on all working days from 09:00 A.M. to 05:00 P.M. Computerised filing and processing of Bill of Entry under Indian Customs EDI system has been made operational from 17/11/2013 at Petrapole Land Customs Station. However, the Manifest (IGM) can also be electronically filed through ICEGATE on 24 hours basis. [scrutinized] (iii) Unloading/Transhipment of the Goods: The goods will be unloaded in the Import Warehouses No.1, 2 or 3, as required, in the presence of the CWC Staff, the authorized representative of the Importer/CHA and driver of the truck Perishable items will be unloaded in Import Warehouse no. 1 with Cold storage facility and other non-perishable goods will be unloaded in any of Warehouse no. 1,2 or 3. The details of goods unloaded will be recorded by the CWC and shall remain in their custody till these are permitted to be cleared by the proper officer of Customs under Section 47 of the Customs Act, 1962. Transhipment of goods directly from Bangladeshi Truck to Indian Truck i.e. back to back unloading facility is available. After unloading of the goods into Warehouse, Proper Storage facilities can be availed. Further Integrated Check Post, petrapole has all the facilities for Unloading and Transhipment of goods. (iv) Exit of empty trucks: After unloading/transhipment of the Import cargo and following of rules as described in 'Car Pass' system at 4(i), the truck, thereafter, will be allowed to leave the Indian Territory. The empty Bangladeshi trucks after unloading/transhipment of goods will take a U turn and will be heading towards the Road meant for Export ahead Main building for exit from India and entry into Bangladesh. (v) Clearance of Goods from the Customs Area: The cargo clearance shall be done as per the provisions of Customs Act, 1962 and any other law/procedure/circulars for the time being in force. The brief procedure to be followed is mentioned hereunder. Risk Management System (RMS),: As per Public Notice No. 01/2015, dated 06/02/15 issued by the C. C. (P), Kolkata, W.B., Risk Management System in imports has been made operational at Petrapole Land Customs Station from 16.02.2015. The purpose of RMS is to facilitate a large number of Bills of entry, which are perceived to be Compliant with the Customs Laws and Regulations. Rest of the procedure like appraisement and assessment of Bill of Entry, Examination, and out of charge as per Compulsory compliance requirements (CCRs) after payment of applicable customs duty will be as per Public Notice No. 01/2015, dated 06/02/2015 and other relevant Customs laws and allied acts as applicable. Wherever required, Food, Animal and Plant Quarantine departments situate besides Warehouse no. 3 meant for Import will process the Fumigation, and Phytosanitary certification. 5. EXPORTS A) Broad procedure for Clearance of Export Goods: Export of goods produced in a country also plays an important role in the economy of a country as it not only generates new opportunities. for the Trade but also helps in building Foreign Exchange Reserve of the country. Any stoppage of the Export consignment means loss of export orders to the Exporter and loss of foreign exchange to the country. All officers shall keep this in mind while executing the various provisions of the Customs Act and other allied Acts and procedures. i. No customs authority would stop export consignment without prior knowledge and approval of the Commissioner or the Additional/Joint Commissioner of Customs. ii. Export goods duly sealed by the Central Excise authorities, at the factory of origin or any Customs authorities at the loading places like ICDs, CFSs, SEZs etc. should not be/ordinarily be opened for examination without the prior approval of the Commissioner or the Additional/Joint Commissioner of Customs. All the officers will scrupulously follow Customs Act, 1962 and other allied Acts, Circulars/instructions issued there under from time to time under the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy, ITC (HS) and various other Notification and Public Notice/Circular issued on this issue. For the guidance of the Officers, the procedure to be followed for export goods is as below:- (B) Filing of Bill of Export by the Exporters/CHA: As per P. N. No. 27/2011, Dt. 31/10/2011 issued by the C. C. (P), Kolkata, W.B.; The CHAs or other persons as envisaged under Section 41 of the Customs Act,1962 shall submit the Bill of Export electronically through Indian Customs EDI System (ICES 1.5) in Service Centre on ground floor of Main building at ICP, Petrapole on all working days from 10:00 A.M. to 06:00 P.M. Computerised filing and processing of documents for export under all benefit schemes under the Indian Customs EDI System has been made operational from 14/11/2011. However, Bills of Export can also be electronically file through ICEGATE on 24 hours basis. (C) Arrival of Export Goods in ICP, Petrapole: In respect of goods intended to be exported against an electronic Bill of Export, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), will permit entry of the goods in to the export parking area of the CWC in ICP, Petrapole through entry gate no. 1, 2 or 3 as per prevalent system of entry of goods laden trucks/chassis. (D) Export Cargo: (i) Movement of Cargo Trucks from ICP, Petrapole to LCS Bangladesh (a) Car Pass System: As per Public Notice No. 02/P.N./CUS/P/WB/2012, DT. 18.01.2012 issued by the C. C. (P),Kolkata, W.B., in case of movement of Cargo vehicles from India to Bangladesh, at the exit of ICP, Petrapole in India, a 'Car Pass' shall be issued to the vehicle by the Customs. The 'car pass' valid for a single entry/exit, would allow movement of the cargo vehicle up to the specified LCS in Bangladesh subject to satisfactory completion of all clearance formalities at the ICP, Petrapole (India). The car pass shall be verified at the Indian (ICP), Petrapole in the return journey of the vehicle including whether the details of driver/crew present in the vehicle match with those in the car pass and the time of re-entry of the Vehicle noted on the car pass. The triplicate copy of the car pass shall be surrendered the ICP, Petrapole (India). Indian Preventive Officer. at the Indian ICP, Petrapole shall reconcile the original copy of the car pass available with them with the triplicate copy surrendered by the driver of the vehicle. (b) Processing of Bills of Export: The Bills of Export would be processed by the system on the basis of the declaration made by the exporter. The following kinds of Bills of Export shall require Clearance of the Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner (AC/DC, ICP, Petrapole) :- (a) Duty free Bills of Export for FOB value above ₹ 10 lakh. (b) Free Trade Samples Bills of Export for FOB value above ₹ 25,000/-. (c) Drawback Bills of Export where the drawback claim exceeds Rs. One lakh. (E) Clearance of Goods from the Customs Area: The cargo clearance shall be done as per the provisions of Customs Act, 1962 and any other law/procedure/circulars for the time being in force. The brief procedure to be followed are mentioned below: (a) Registration of export documents will be on the ground floor of Main building. Registration of export documents are done only for those export documents against which all the vehicles loaded with exportable goods have already entered in CWC parking area as per prevalent system of Registration of export documents and will be continued. After registration of export documents, System will allot export documents for Examination on the ground floor of Main building Inspector of Customs. (b) Examination of exportable goods will be completed by Inspector of Customs as envisaged by the RMS and as directed by the higher authorities of Customs and in compliance with the Customs Laws and Regulations. After examination of exportable goods, comments will be entered by Inspector of Customs. (c) The Superintendent of Customs will appraise the export documents and give Let Export Order on the ground floor of Main building. The Superintendent of Customs will give Let Export Order as envisaged by the R M.S. in compliance with the Customs Laws and Regulations and as directed by the higher authorities of Customs only after examination has already been completed by Inspector of Customs. (F) Risk Management System (RMS): As per Public Notice No. 02/2015, dated 06/02/2015, Risk Management System in exports has been made operational at Petrapole Land Customs Station from 16.02.2015. The purpose of RMS is to facilitate a large number of Bills of entry, which are perceived to be compliant with the Customs Laws and Regulations. Rest of the procedure like appraisement and assessment of Bills of Export/Shipping Bills, Examination and Let Export Order as per Compulsory compliance requirement (CCRs) after payment of applicable customs duty (if any) will be as per Public Notice No. 02/2015, dated 06/02/2015 and other relevant Customs laws and allied acts as applicable. After export of the trucks with goods intended for export and their entry in the EDI System by Preventive Unit Officers, EGM will be printed on first floor of the Main building by Preventive Unit Officers near the Room to Server room. (G) Exit of Indian Empty truck after unloading of exported goods into Bangladesh: After unloading/transhipment of the Export cargo and absolute following of rules as described in 'car pass' system at 4(i) of Exports, the empty Indian truck, thereafter, will be allowed to enter into the Indian Territory. The empty Indian trucks will enter towards the Road meant for Import on the left side of ICP, Petrapole from Bangladesh end for entry into India and will be headed straight towards Rail line and then will exit from Central Warehousing Corporation without any diversion into the area meant for management of Import. (6) GENERAL a. No clearance will be permitted on Fridays or on Gazetted holidays. In exceptional cases, on the request of the Importer/CHA, the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner may permit clearance of the imported goods on a holiday on payment of usual supervision (M.O.T.) fee. Such request should be made to the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs by the CHA/Importer at least 24 hours in advance. b. This Public Notice lays down only the procedure for clearance of goods. In Case of any dispute/doubt, the relevant statutes should be referred to and the provisions therein shall prevail. c. For any further clarification, Exporter/CHAs and all other concerned may contact the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner (Customs), Integrated Check Post, Petrapole, Bongaon, Dist.-North 24 Parganas (W.B.), Pincode-743704. d. Finally, this Standard Operating Procedure is subject to changes made by the Board/Ministry from time to time. (Dr. Nirmal Kumar Soren) Commissioner of Customs CC(P), WB, Kolkata