Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972- Procedure for clearance from the Wild life Control Bureau. - Customs - 37/2013

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE COCHIN - 682009 F.No. C1/01/2013 TU Cus.Pt. I Dated: 12.12.2013 TRADE FACILITY No. 37/2013 Sub: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972- Procedure for clearance from the Wild life Control Bureau. Attention of Exporters, Customs Brokers, members of the trade and public is invited to the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Wildlife Control Bureau, a statutory body constituted by the Govt. of India under Section 38Y of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972, is the designated agency for clearance of consignments from CITES and/or Wildlife angle. At present, the Wildlife Inspector posted at the sub-regional office, Kochi visits the Seaport/CFSs and the Air Cargo Complex at Kochi, for on the spot inspection of the cargo, on reference from the Custom House. The designated agency, vide their letter DO No.21-68/WCCB-SR/08/1349, dated 27.11.2013 has informed that due to acute shortage of manpower at their end, the present system of inspection/approval is modified. Henceforth, the certification / approval by the Wildlife Control Bureau would be on the basis of sealed representative sample(s) along with test memo, received from the Customs. The test memo accompanying the sample(s) with specific queries to be answered by the Wildlife Control Bureau will be duly authenticated by the Customs officials. All concerned are directed to ensure that the sealed sample is presented along with the Test memo before the Wildlife Control Bureau, for their certification. The designated Agency has also informed that the spot inspection would be considered in the case of bulk cargo, perishable cargo(that needs to be examined without delay) and cargo of live organisms, where drawal of representative samples may not be possible. Such on the spot inspection shall be on the basis of a written request from the Customs authorities. All concerned are requested to take note of the above changes for compliance. Sd/- Dr. K. N. RAGHAVAN COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS