Documents to be submitted by the first time importers through any ports of the Kachchh Commissionerate-reg. - Customs - 39/2009

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, KANDLA CUSTOM HOUSE, NEAR BALAJI TEMPLE, KANDLA (KACHCHH) F. No. S/01-02/2009-Appg (G) Date: 08.10.2009 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 39/2009 Sub: Documents to be submitted by the first time importers through any ports of the Kachchh Commissionerate-reg. It has been observed that some unscrupulous importers are importing/attempting to import goods by using the IEC (Import-Export Code) of other persons, who on verification, have been found in many cases to be fictitious in the sense that they do not exists at the given address or do not have any knowledge/idea about the import consignment, nor do they have any finance for/experience in the business of imports/exports and in fact they are dummies. Such imports by the said unscrupulous importers set a chain of economic offences starting from mis-declaring the description, value and quantity to Customs down to non-payment of Sales Tax/VAT, Income-Tax, Octroi, Money Laundering, generation of black money and violations of foreign exchange laws. 2. As a preventive measure, it has been decided to look into the aspect of the genuineness of the importers, who are importing the goods for the first time through any port of the Kachchh Commissionerate, for which the following documents would be required to be submitted: (i) Copy of VAT/Sales Tax Registration Certificate (ii) Certificate from the Bank with whom the Bank account is being maintained by the importer certifying the signatures, name and address of the importer. (iii) Proof of payment/remittance through the importers account. (iv) Balance sheet of the previous year. (v) Copy of the last Income Tax Return/VAT or Sales Tax Return filed. 3. The above documents will have to be submitted by the importer or his Clearing Agent (CHA) to the concerned Assessing Officer. The CHA are expected to play a positive role in this regard in terms of Regulation 13 of Customs House Agents Licencing Regulations, 2004. Once the documents (i) to (v) above are filed, importer will be allowed on payment of duties applicable. If there is any difficulty in making available any of these documents, the importer may approach the Addl/Jt. Commissioner in charge of the group to make relaxation. 4. This practice/requirement shall come into force with effect from 12.10.2009. 5. The contents of the above Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the members of all trade associations and the Custom House Agents Association. (D. S. Negi) Commissioner