SUB : Forwarding of samples for testing to the Outside Laboratories- reg. - Customs - 159/2017

OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS NS-III JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE, NHAVA SHEVA TAL: URAN, DIST. RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA-400707 F.No.S/12-Gen-402/2017-18 AM(I) Pt I Date: 18.12.2017 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 159/2017 SUB : Forwarding of samples for testing to the Outside Laboratories- reg. Attention of the Importers, Exporters, General Trade, Custom Brokers and all other stakeholders in the jurisdiction of JNCH, Nhava Sheva is invited to the Board Circular No. 43/2017 dated 16th November, 2017 on the above mentioned subject. 2. It has been noticed that due to lack of testing facilities of certain goods in Revenue Laboratories, there is delay in clearance of the consignments of these goods due to avoidable movement of samples between Customs field formations and Revenue Laboratories. 3. In this regard, CRCL has shortlisted the items whose samples cannot be tested in their Laboratories at present and also identified the Laboratories functioning under the other Ministries/Departments/Organizations where such samples could be tested. The list of such items and corresponding testing Laboratories are annexed herewith. 4. The Revenue Laboratories are, presently, in the process of up-gradation. However, until Revenue Laboratories are upgraded, as a measure of trade facilitation, the Board has decided that field formations may directly forward samples of goods mentioned in column (3) of the Annexure-1 of the Board Circular No. 43/2017 dated 16.11.2017, to the laboratories mentioned in column (4) of the said Annexure. 5. The procedure for forwarding the samples to the laboratories shall be as follows: a. JNCH follows the respective standard sampling technique as prescribed by the concerned laboratory for the items under question. For any new items / goods, officers have been directed to ascertain sampling requirement with the laboratory concerned before drawing samples from the consignment. The sampling requirements has been specified in column no 5 of enclosed Annexure. b. In cases of live consignments which cannot be cleared without getting the test reports due to its hazardous nature or for any other reason, the samples will continue to be forwarded to the concerned laboratory at the earliest. Further, the all the Groups / Docks have been asked to develop a mechanism so as to get the test report expeditiously online. c. In cases where the time taken by laboratory exceeds three days, the importer can warehouse the goods under section 49 of the Customs Act. d. Testing fee, if any, shall be paid by the importer or the exporter. 6. It is further clarified that aforementioned procedure shall not be applicable in cases where Partner Government Agencies themselves draw the sample. 7. Action to be taken in terms of decisions taken in this Public Notice should be considered as standing order for the purpose of officers and staff. 8. Difficulty, if any may also be brought to the notice of Deputy / Assistant Commissioner in charge of Appraising Main (Import) through email / phones (email address: [email protected] , Phone No : 022-27244979,). Sd/- (SUBHASH AGRAWAL) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS NS-III, JNCH