Simplification and rationalization of AEO-T1 Application - reg. - Customs - 124/2018

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (NHAVA SHEVA-III) JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE, NHAVA SHEVA, URAN, RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA 400 707 F.No. S/22-Gen-06/2018-19 AEO CELL Date: 20.08.2018 PUBLIC Notice No. 124/2018 Subject: Simplification and rationalization of AEO-T1 Application - reg. Attention of Importers, Exporters, General Trade, Port Terminal Operator, Shipping lines / Shipping Agents, CFSs coming under the jurisdiction of Jawaharlal Nehru Customs House (JNCH), Nhava Sheva and all other stakeholders is invited to the Board Circular No. 26/2018, dated 10th August 2018, which modifies provisions regarding requirement and processing of AEO T1 application of CBIC Circular No. 33/2016-Customs, Dated 22.07.2016 as amended by Circular No. 03/2018 Dated 17.01.2018 (available at: http://www.cbec.gov.in/Customs-Circulars-Instructions) and Public Notice No. 16 17, both dated 25.01.2018 and No 47, dated 23.03.2018 issued by JNCH. 2. Multiple suggestions were received by CBIC from various field formations on Indian AEO Programme governed by the Board circulars 33/2016-Customs, Dated 22.07.2016 as amended by Circular No. 03/2018 Dated 17.01.2018. It has been emphasised that the compliance requirements for AEO T1 are not commensurate with the benefits allowed to AEO T1 entities. The suggestions also highlighted the fact that this has made it difficult to attract entities into the AEO fold. Consequently, a review of the aforementioned circular was done and it was felt that the processing of AEO T1 application requires simplification and rationalization. 3. Accordingly, CBIC vide Board Circular No. 26/2018, dated 10th August 2018 prescribed that the present Annexure for AEO T1 application i.e. Annexure A, C, D, E1, E2, E3 E4 shall be replaced with the Annexure 1 and Annexure 2 (enclosed) only. The processing by way of new annexure, (i.e. annexure 1 2) alongwith DECLARATION in prescribed format (Copy Enclosed) will come in effect immediately. All the new applications for AEO T1 are to be mandatorily filed in form of the new annexure - Annexure 1, Annexure 2 DECLARATION. 4. In order to implement the simplified processing and to ensure its desired effectiveness, it is decided by the competent authority that the process of accreditation of AEO-T1 shall be decentralized to the Zonal level. In this decentralized scheme of work, the AEO-T1 application will be filed with the Zonal AEO Cell (as was being done by virtue of Circular 3/2018- Cus Dated 17.01.2018). The said application will be processed by the Zonal AEO cell and the final acceptance or rejection will be decided by Zonal AEO Programme Manager [Commissioner of Customs Nhava Sheva-III for Mumbai customs Zone-II ]. The Zonal AEO cells will only intimate the decision of Zonal AEO Programme Manager to Directorate of International Customs for generation of certificate with relevant information of the applicant namely - Name, IEC Number PAN, Copy of Annexure- A and statistics management. 5. However, for applications that have already been received by the Customs Zones prior to the issuance of this Public Notice, the Zonal AEO Programme Manager will have the discretion to allow processing of the application either by way of earlier annexure (Annexure A, C, D, E1, E2, E3 E4) or by way of new annexure (annexure 1 2) and Declaration in prescribed format on case to case basis. Accordingly, it has been decided that all applicants, who have already submitted their AEO-T1 application shall have the option to either submit revised new annexure, (i.e. Annexure 1 2) or to comply with the requirements specified in the deficiency memo, if any deficiency memo has been issued to them. 6. The digitalization of processing of AEO T1 application is already underway. The online processing of AEO T1 application will commence as soon as the necessary digital infrastructure is in place. In the meantime, the processing of new AEO T1 Application in form of the new annexures (Annexure 1 2) will come in effect immediately. 7. The Board Circular No. 33/2016-Customs dated 22.07.2016 as amended by Circular No. 03/2018 Dated 17.01.2018 stands modified to above extent vide Board Circular No. 26/2018, dated 10th August 2018. 8. In case of any difficulty, the specific issue may be brought to the notice of Nodal Officer of AEO Cell or Deputy/Assistant Commissioner in charge of AEO Cell, NS-III (email address: [email protected]). -Sd- (SUBHASH AGRAWAL) Commissioner of Customs (NS-III).