EO Programme digitization - Ease of doing business -Development of web-based application for AEO T1; Modification in Circular No. 33/2016 regarding benefit related PCA to AEO - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. - 01/2019

Government of India Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue Office of the Chief Commissioner, Customs (Prey) Zone, Patna 4th Floor, Central Revenue Building, Bir chand Patel Path, Patna DATED :- 28.02.2019 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. - 01/2019 Sub :- AEO Programme digitization - Ease of doing business -Development of web-based application for AEO T1; Modification in Circular No. 33/2016 regarding benefit related PCA to AEO ; - reg. Attention of the Exporters, Importers, Officers of Customs, Custom Brokers and all other stakeholders is invited to CBIC Circular No. 33/2016-Cus, dated 22.07.2016 as amended vide Circular No. 03/2018-Cus dated 17.01.2018 and 26/2018-Cus, dated 10.08.2018 issued from time in relation to introduction and implementation of AEO Programme of Government of India. 2. Reference of all concerned is drawn to the Circular No. 26/2018-Customs dated 10.08.2018 wherein it was stated that The Online processing of AEO T1 application will commence as soon as the necessary digital infrastructure is in place. Keeping in line with the target of digitization, an online AEO website has been developed for online filing and processing of AEO T1 applications. The AEO website (domain name : aeoindia.gov.in) was launched by the Chairman, CBIC on 30.11.2018 and subsequently the access to the website was made available to both the applicant, for filing of AEO T1 application, and Customs officials, for processing and delivery of digitized AEO Certificate online for newly filed applications. CBIC vide Circular No. 51/2018-Customs dated 07.12.2018 announced commencement of the web based application for AEO T1. 3. Further, for ensuring seamless transition to the online web-application, it has been decided to concurrently continue with the manual filing and processing of AEO T1 applications up to 31.03.2009. The trade and field formations respectively would have the liberty to file and process and process the application manually up to the prescribed transition time limit, i.e. up to 31.03.2019 so as to obviate any delay in time-bound processing of the applications. However, both trade and field formations should make earnest effort to use this online mode as much as possible. 4. References is also drawn to Para 3(viii) of the Circular No. 03/2018-Customs dated 17.01.2018 regarding amendment in the AEO Programme whereby the validity of AEO Certificate of Ti T2 were extended to 3 years uniformly. Accordingly, in order to synchronize validity with review and OSPCA of AEO T1 certified entities, their intervals are also being extended to 3 years from existing 2 years by modifying the following Paras Master Circular No. 33/2016-Customs dated 22.07.2016 as below - 1.1 Para 1.5(viii) 11They will not be subjected to regular transactional PCA instead of that onsite PCA will be conducted once in three years only. 1.2 Para 5.4.1 The AEQ Programme Team will review AEQ status periodically to ensure continued adherence to the conditions and standards of grant of certificate of AEO Status. Thus, it is recommended that the AEO status holder should continue to re-assess its compliance with the conditions of certification and act upon any identified problems as soon as they arise. The frequency of such review will be three years in case of AEO T1 AEO -T2 and five years in case of AEO -T3 AEQ -LO. As far as possible, the review and the onsite PCA, if applicable, will be conducted simultaneously. 5. However, Directorate of International Customs, Delhi entrusted with the Indian AEO programme, may initiate review of any entity at any point of time if there are reasons to belie4ve, to the satisfaction of the AEO Programme Manager, that the adherence to the conditions and standards of AEO status is compromised or affected. 6. All the members of Trade and Industries Associations are requested to make optimum use of AEO Web Application, in filing AEO T1 application on AEO Website so that the trade can enjoy the fruits of this ease of doing business tool seamlessly from manual filing to digital filing of AEO T1 application. 7. In case of any difficulty, the specific issue may be brought to the notice of Additional Commissioner in charge of AEO Cell, office of the Chief Commissioner of Customs(Prev) Zone, Patna (email: [email protected]). 8. The contents of this Public Notice may be brought to the knowledge of the member constituents of the Trade. (Nodal Officer) Additional Commissioner(CCO), Customs(Prev) Zone, Patna