Extension of e-SANCHIT application on all EDI locations - Implementation of Paperless processing and uploading of supporting documents - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 10/2018

GOVT. OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE O/o THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CHENNAI - VII COMMISSIONERATE, NEW CUSTOM HOUSE, MEENAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI - 600027. F. No.: S. Misc. 19/2018- A.M (ACC) Dated: 20.02.2018 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 10/2018 Sub: Extension of e-SANCHIT application on all EDI locations - Implementation of Paperless processing and uploading of supporting documents-reg. Attention of all Stakeholders is invited to CBEC's Circular No. 40/2017-Customs dated 13.10.2017 wherein a facility introduced to upload the supporting documents of the Bill of Entry/ Shipping Bill electronically with digital signature under e-SANCHIT at major Custom Houses since 20.10.2017, Now, this facility i.e. e-sanchit is extended to ACC, Chennai so that trade can upload supporting documents electronically in the ICEGATE while filing the Bili of Entry/Shipping Bill on voluntary and optional basis until further instructions in this regard. However, it nnay be noted that the trade should make adequate preparations to upload such documents online by using e-SANCHIT which is likely to become mandatory. 2. Procedures A. Uploading supporting documents: i) For uploading supporting documents on ICEGATE, the authorized persons must open ICEGATE URL https://www.icegate.gov.in/, Click on login / Signup button for login into ICEGATE by using his/her access credentials and then Click on e-SANCHIT link provided in left vertical menu to redirect on e-SANCHIT. The step-by-step procedure for upload of supporting documents is also provided on the ICEGATE website. White preparing a job for submission on ICEGATE in their respective Remote EDI Systems (RES), the authorized persons must ensure that they have uploaded all the necessary supporting documents. A facility has also been provided on ICEGATE to the authorized persons to access and view the documents uploaded by them, ii) In case the authorized person seeks to provide a document after the generation of the Bill of Entry number, he/she may first upload the document on ICEGATEI obtain a unique ID Image Reference number (IRN) for the document and link that document with the corresponding Bill of Entry by submitting an amendment at the Service Centre. This procedure will also apply when the authorized person submits a document in response to a query raised by Customs for a Bill of Entry. B. Assessment Document Verification : i) Once a Bill of Entry has been field, Customs officers will be able to access the uploaded electronic versions of supporting documents while viewing or assessing the Bill of Entry on ICES, During assessment, ICES provides for a query to be raised in order to call for additional documents or information. In response to a query, supporting documents can also be uploaded online by following the procedure described on para A ii) above. All documents required for the purpose of assessment would be viewed online. In due course, the facility to view supporting documents will also be extended to officers of the participating Government Agencies (PGAs). ii) Post Clearance Compliance Verification (PCCV) will be carried cut online based on the electronic versions of supporting documents instead of hardcopy dockets of the Bills of Entry. C. Goods Registration Examination Clearance: i) After filing of the Bill of Entry, the authorized person (e.g Importer/Customs Broker) may with his self-assessed copy of the Bill of Entry, approach the designated place for goods registration, document verification and clearance. In case goods are to be examined, the officer examining goods may record the result of inspection/examination online on ICES. ii) Some types of supporting documents are required to be presented in original (as specified in the respective notifications) for verification of seal/signature etc., for defacement and for the debit of quantities/value. Trade should present hardcopy at the time of the registration of goods or at a place specified by the Cornmissioner of Customs. It may however be noted that all supporting documents shall be uploaded digitally, including those documents that must be presented in hardcopy. For supporting documents, where a debit of quantity/value is required to be made on hardcopy, for every subsequent Bill of Entry field for import, the latest debit sheet shall be uploaded. The authorized person filing the Bill of Entry should pay attention while linking supporting documents with Bills of Entry and should ensure that the correct unique reference numbers (IRNs) are mentioned in the Bill of Entry. D. Manifest Closure: i) With the submission of supporting documents online, the manifest closure department or the Custom House will not receive hardcopies of dockets. Officers shall reply on the electronic records maintained on ICES to carry out activities in relation to manifest closure, E. Other features of this facility : a) Upload of supporting documents for Bills of Entry is field 'through the Service Centers. b) Handheld devices would be used by Examining officers and Shed Superintendent to record inspection/examination reports on the spot. c) Electronic copies of Out of Charge orders and assessed copies of Bill of Entry is delivered online to the Custodians and authorized persons. In the course of Implementation, digital signatures will be applied on these messages and not copies of the Bill of Entry. F. The Bill of Entry (Electronic Integrated Declaration) Regulation, 2011 provides for the authorized person to submit digitally signed electronic integrated declarations (Bills of Entry) and supporting documents and dispenses with the need for trade to submit the corresponding hardcopies. The said Regulations also provide that the authorized person shall retain, for a period of 5 years from the date of acceptance of the Bill of Entry, all supporting documents in original, which were used or relied upon by him in submitting the electronic integrated declaration, and shall produce them before Customs or other Government agencies in connection with any action or proceedings under the Customs Act 1962 or any other law for the time being in force. 3, Further, it is informed that the Step by step procedure to upload supporting documents with digital signatures at eSANCHlT and a fist of FAQs are already published and available at https://www.icegate.gov.in/eSANCHlT.html on ICEGATE website. Keeping in view, the trade shall take advantage of using this facility and gain knowledge and experience on the new procedure from EDI Section of this Commissionerate. It is important that every Custom Brokers and Self filers (all ICEGATE users) shall attend the outreach programs/workshop to be conducted by this Commissionerate to be capable to use e-SANCHIT as envisaged in Customs Circular 40/2017. 4. Therefore, the trade is urged to utilize the facility to the maximum for paperless processing and implementation of the new procedure of e-SANCHIT application to be fully operational for ease of clearance of import and export cargo at ACC, Chennai. Difficulties, if any, faced during the functioning of this facility may be informed to EDI Section, ACC, Chennai-27 for taking necessary action. (N. PADMASRI) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CHENNAI-VII