Customs- Discrepancies in filing and closure of EGM - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE No. 39/2017

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM ESTATE: TUTICORIN-628 004 C. No. VIII/48/170/2015-MCD) Date :31.10.2017 PUBLIC NOTICE No. 39/2017 Sub:- Customs- Discrepancies in filing and closure of EGM- Regarding. Attention to the Shipping Lines/ Steamer Agents / Consol Agents / Custom House Agents and all other concerned are invited to the various instructions issued by the Department from time to time regarding filing and closure of Export General Manifest(EGM). 2. It is noticed that, EGMs pertaining to the earlier periods are pending for closure for various reasons. This affects the updating of the Export figures in EDI data, which in turn, hampers the statistical analysis of the Government apart from Export benefits like Drawback and Refund of IGST. 3. As per Section 41 of the Customs Act 1962, either the Master of the Vessel or his Authorized Agents should file the EGM with the proper officer of Customs within Seven days from the date of sailing of the Vessel. However, it is noticed that many shipping bills are pending for the closure of EGM even after expiry of the mandatory period i.e., 7 days from sailing of the vessel. Further gateway EGMs in respect of ICD Shipping Bills were not filed electronically despite the facility being available in EDI. It is also learnt that the practice of manual filing and acceptance of EGMs at Gateway Ports still continues. Filing of manual EGM not allowed in future except in rare cases where it is absolutely necessary. 4. With a view to overcome the above problem, it has been decided that, all EGMs pending with ICES Version 2 (Indian Customs EDI system), are required to be closed by the Steamer Agents by 31.10.2017 and get it updated in the ICES Version 2 (Indian Customs EDI system). Also the shipping lines are advised to use this opportunity and file Supplementary EGMs/EGM Amendments without fail against all the pending Shipping Bills where export was completed. For ICD shipping Bills, the exporters are advised to ensure that the Train Summary/ Truck Summary report for Local EGM to be filed at ICD properly in EDI Without error and these shipping Bills are then mentioned by the Shipping Lines while filing the EGM in EDI at the gateway Port. 5. Failing which a penalty shall be imposed on the responsible person against this lapse under Section 117 of Customs Act, 1962. Because of the belated filing of documents /EGM, many EGM files are pending with this office for closure and the penal action has to be initiated against such agencies. 6. It is hoped that, the Trade concerned will take advantage of the relaxation and extend their co-operation in the matter of immediate closure of the pending EGMs. (Issued from file C.No.VIII/48/170/2015-MCD) (K.V.V.G. DIWAKAR) COMMISSIONER