Forwarding of samples for testing to the outside Laboratories - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 16 /2018

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE PR. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (AIRPORT ADMIN) AIR CARGO COMPLEX, NSCBI AIRPORT, KOLKATA 700 052 F. No. S60(M1isc)-281/16 CCI Date: 22.02.2018 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 16 /2018 Subject: Forwarding of samples for testing to the outside Laboratories reg. Attention of all concerned is invited to the Circular No. 43/2017-Customs dated 16.11.2017 regarding forwarding of samples for testing to the outside Laboratories. It has come to the notice of the Board 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. 2. 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 other Ministries/Departments /Organizations where such samples could be tested. The list of such items and corresponding testing Laboratories is annexed herewith as `Annexure I'. 3. The Revenue Laboratories arc, presently. in the process of up-gradation. However, until Revenue Laboratories are upgraded, as a measure of trade facilitation. this Commissionerate has decided that field formations may directly forward samples of goods mentioned in column (3) of the 'Annexure-l' of this Public Notice, to the laboratories mentioned in column (4) of the said Annexure-I or any other accredited laboratories empanelled by this Commissionerate. The procedure for forwarding the samples to the laboratories shall be as follows: (i) Customs formations should follow the respective standard sampling technique prescribed by the concerned laboratory for the items under question. The field formations should ascertain sampling requirement with the laboratory concerned before drawing samples from the consignment. The sampling requirements will be clearly specified on the website of this Commissionerate. (ii) In cases of live consignments which cannot be cleared without getting the test reports due to hazardous nature or for any other reason. the samples shall be forwarded to the concerned laboratory at the earliest. Further. the concerned d laboratories should be asked to upload the test report on their website so that the test report can be accessed expeditiously and preferably online by the department and the party as well. (iii) In case where the time taken by laboratory exceeds three days, the importer shall invariably be given an option to warehouse goods under Section 49 of the Customs Act, 1962. (iv) Testing tee, if any shall be paid by the importer or the exporter. as the case may be. 4. It is Further clarified that aforementioned procedure shall not he applicable in cases where Partner Government Agencies themselves draw the sample. 5. Difficulties Laced. if any, in Implementation of this new facility may be brought to notice of the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Import Group. Air Caro Complex N.S.C.B.I Airport, Kolkata - 700052. (R.P. Singh) Commissioner of Custom Airport Administration Kolkata