Procedure for allowing direct entry to Port for self sealed containers of export goods under Free Shipping Bills Reg. - Customs - 49/2008

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (EXPORT) JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE, NHAVA SHEVA, TAL-URAN, DIST RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA 400 707 Tel NO 27242800(5 Lines) 2724-1263/4/5 F.NO. S/16-Gen-189/2008 AM(X) Date: 24.06.2008 FACILITY NOTICE NO : 49 /2008 Sub : Procedure for allowing direct entry to Port for self sealed containers of export goods under Free Shipping Bills Reg. Attention of all exporters, CHAs, Members of Trade Industry is hereby invited to Facility Notice No. 5/2007 dated 15.2.2007 which prescribed the procedure for the movement of self-sealed Containers meant for export from Nhava Sheva Port. As per the above mentioned Facility Notice all self-sealed containers necessarily have to go to any of the CFSs / any of the three Buffer Yards (Speedy / GDL / Punjab Conware) functioning under Nhava Sheva Customs for completion of Customs formalities and on-wheel examination. 2. As per CBEC circular No. 860/18/2007-CX., dated. 22.11.2007 in case of free shipping bills wherein no export benefits are claimed, the manufacturer-exporters have to mandatorily resort to the procedure of self sealing of export containers. As per facility Notice No. 53/2007, dated 6.12.2007 the manufacturer - exporters exporting under free shipping bill with self seal containers are also required to follow the procedure prescribed in Facility Notice No. 05/2007. 3. Representations have been received from exporters that as there is no Customs examination in case of free shipping bills, such self sealed containers should be treated at par with Central Excise sealed containers and may also be allowed direct entry in the port. The issue has been examined. The examination norms in respect of free shipping bills does not distinguish between containers, which have come under self sealing by the manufacturer/exporter or which have been stuffed/ sealed by jurisdictional Central Excise officers. Hence it has been decided that henceforth self sealed containers in case of exports under free Shipping Bill, i.e., Shipping Bills wherein no export benefits, are being sought, will be allowed direct entry in the port based on the EDI checklist. 4. The exporters on Annexure C (Examination report for factory self sealed containers) accompanying the containers should prominently mention that the exports are under free shipping bill, so that there are no difficulties for Customs Officer at the port gate for identification whether the exports are under free shipping bill or not. Exports under self seal procedure, other than by free shipping bill, shall continue to be governed by the procedure for movement of self sealed containers prescribed in Facility Notice No. 05/2007. 5. The above procedure will be effective from 1st July 2008. Difficulties, if any, in following the procedures may be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs (Export). Sd/24.06.2008 (K. L. GOYAL) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (EXP)