Simplification and rationalization of processing of AEO-T1 application - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 32/2018

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE: PORT AREA: VISAKHAPATNAM - 530 035 F. No. P3/06/2017-Stats(AM).Pt. II Date: 13.08.2018 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 32/2018 Sub: Simplification and rationalization of processing of AEO-T1 application - Reg. Kind attention of all Importers, Exporters, Logistics Providers, Custodians or Terminal Operators, Customs Brokers, Customs Bonded Warehouse Operators and the members of Trade is invited to this office Public Notice No. 23/2016 dated 18.10.2016 regarding the revised AEO programme in terms of Board s Circular No. 33/2016 dated 22.07.2016, and as amended vide Board s Circular No. 03/2018 dated 17.01.2018. 2. The Indian AEO programme is governed by Board s Circular mentioned above. Multiple suggestions have been received by Board from various field formations, wherein it has been emphasized 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 by Board and felt that the processing of AEO T1 application requires simplification and rationalization. 3. Accordingly, Board issued Circular No. 26/2018 dated 10.08.2018 simplifying the process of AEO T1 application. In terms of the said Circular, the present Annexure for AEO T1 application, i.e. Annexure A, C, D, E1, E2, E3 and E4, shall be replaced with the Annexure 1 and Annexure 2 enclosed to the Board s Circular, which is appended to this Public Notice. The processing by way of new annexures, i.e. Annexure 1 and 2, will come in effect immediately and all the new applications for AEO T1 are to be mandatorily filed in form of the new annexures. 4. Alongside, to implement the simplified processing and to ensure its desired effectiveness, Board has decided 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 already done by virtue of Circular No. 03/2018-Cus, i.e. the jurisdictional Chief Commissioner s office). The said application will be processed by the Zonal AEO Cell and the final acceptance or rejection will be decided by the Zonal AEO Programme Manager (designated Pr. Commissioner/Commissioner rank officer in Customs Zone nominated by Pr. Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner, Customs). 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 Name, IEC Number and PAN) and statistics management. 5. However, for the AEO T1 applications that have already been received by the Customs Zones prior to the issuance of Board s Circular No. 26/2018 (i.e. before 10.08.2018), the Zonal AEO Programme Manager will have discretion to allow the processing of the application either by way of earlier annexures (Annexure A, C, D, E1, E2, E3 and E4) or by way of the new annexures (Annexure 1 and 2) on case to case basis. 6. Further, the digitization of processing of AEO T1 application is already underway, and 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 and 2) will come in effect immediately. 7. The AEO Client Relationship Manager (CRM) of this Custom House mentioned below may be contacted for any assistance or difficulty faced, if any: Shri T.E. Srikanth, Assistant Commissioner (Appraising Mains), Email id: [email protected] Contact No. : 0891 2526812 - Sd - (Dr. D. K. Srinivas) Commissioner of Customs