Clearance of in-transit motor vehicles meant for Nepal-reg. - Customs - 12/13

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (PORT) CUSTOM HOUSE: KOLKATA F.No.S186-01/99A(N) Dated : 01-05-2013 PUBLIC NOTICE CUSTOMS: 12/13 Subject: Clearance of in-transit motor vehicles meant for Nepal-reg. Attention of Nepalese and Bhutanese importers and all other concerned is invited to the provisions contained under Para 4 (Article VI) of the Protocol to the Treaty of Transit between Nepal India wherein the procedures for road/rail transport is provided from point no.(a) to (d) and the same is reproduced below: 4.(a) Arms, ammunition and hazardous cargo shall not be allowed to be transported by road. NOTE: 1. With reference to hazardous cargo, exception can be permitted as shall be mutually agreed. 2. Petroleum products, chemical fertilizer and industrial alcohol shall be allowed, as exceptions in terms of Note. 1 above, to be transported by road, subject to compliance with fire, safety and other Statutory requirements, (b) Goods declared sensitive for foreign trade by Government of India from time to time with prior intimation to His Majesty's Government of Nepal, Shall be permitted transit on the following routes: 1. Kolkata-Naxalbari(Panitanki), (2) Kolkata-Jogbani, (3) Kolkata-Raxaul, (4) Kolkata-Raxaul-ICD Birgunj, (5) Kolkata-Nautanwa (Sunauli), (6) Kolkata-Nepalgunj Road, (7) Kolkata-Banbasa. (b1) Sensitive goods shall be permitted transit by marine container or pilfer-proof container trucks or railway wagons at the option of the importer/exporter. (c) Bulk cargo such as boulders, fertilizer, cement, vegetables and fruits shall be permitted in open trucks also. (d) Goods other than those mentioned at sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above Shall be permitted transit by railway wagons or marine containers or pilfer-proof container trucks or any Other trucks, capable of being sealed in a manner that will leave no visible trace or tampering at the option of the importer. The goods mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) and (c) are in the nature of arms and ammunition, hazardous cargo, petroleum products, chemical fertilizer and industrial alcohol, specified bulk cargo etc. Thus, the provisions of the Protocol to the Treaty of Transit envisages movement Of goods by railway wagon and trucks. There is no provision regarding the transporting motor vehicles by their own power in the treaty. Therefore, self- driven vehicles shall not be allowed for transit between Kolkata and Nepal and Bhutan with immediate effect. Instead self-driven vehicles may be taken by using 'trailers' which can be Customs sealed, before being allowed movement to Nepal Bhutan. Sd/- (Ashutosh Awasthi) Commissioner of Customs (Port) Custom House Kolkata