Turant Customs-Next generation reform for Ease of Doing Business (EODB) - Customs - TRADE NOTICE NO. 03/2019

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS GST BHAVAN 41/A, SASSOON ROAD, PUNE-411001 F. No: VIII/Cus/Tech/TN/48-123/18-19 Date: 02.03.2019 TRADE NOTICE NO. 03/2019 Subject :- Turant Customs-Next generation reform for Ease of Doing Business (EODB) - Regarding. Attention of officers is invited to the Board's Circular No. 09/2019- Customs dated 28th February 2019 regarding The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Index rankings 2019. 2. A critical component of The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Index rankings 2019 is its 'Trading Across Borders' category in which India now stands at rank 80, a huge jump of 66 ranks from 146 in 2018. This was made possible largely due to several reform measures initiated and implemented by the CBIC, which inter alia include SWIFT, e-Sanchit, DPI), revised AEO programme, RFID e-seal programme etc. which combined to reduce the time and cost of clearance of goods in the various Customs ports. The next target of Government is to be in the top 50 of the EODB ranking in this category and the efforts in this direction are being spearheaded by the CBIC by the introduction of the next generation reform aptly named Turant Customs. This reform is a comprehensive package of various elements that would be implemented from time to time in the next few months. 3. In this regard your attention is drawn to the Bill of Entry (Electronic Integrated Declaration and Paperless Processing) Regulations, 2018 which require the importers or their authorised persons to enter the electronic integrated declaration (Bill of Entry) and the supporting documents in the Customs Automated System by affixing a digital signature. Accordingly, the supporting documents are presently uploaded using e-Sanchit from the ICEGATE web portal (refer Circular No. 40/2017-Customs dated 13.10.2017 and Instruction No. 02/2018 Customs dated 07.02.2018). Now, in furtherance of these regulations, the importers or their authorised persons would he able to themselves register the goods online on the ICEGATE web portal after the goods have arrived (and not after payment of duty, as at present). This self-registration would further reduce the time of clearance besides freeing the Customs officers for handling other important items of work. 4. A further trade facilitation initiative being introduced in the Customs clearance process is that of Customs Compliance Verification (CCV) which would operate after an importer registers the imported goods even while duty has not been paid or its payment is in process. Once the goods are registered, the proper officer would do all necessary verifications as per Sections 17/1 8 and Section 47(1) of the Customs Act, 1962. On satisfaction that the goods are ready for clearance, but for the payment of duties, the proper officer would confirm the completion of the CCV for the particular Bill of Entry in the System. Thereafter, on payment of duty by the importer, the Customs Automated System would electronically give clearance to the Bill of Entry, as provided for in the 1st proviso to Section 47(1) of the Customs Act, 1962. 5. Difficulties faced, if any, in implementation/following of the changes may be brought to the notice of the Board. 6. The contents of this Trade Notice may be brought to the knowledge of the member constituents of the Trade. The Trade Notice may be downloaded from the website of www.punecustoms.nic.in. 7. Hindi version follows. (M.V.S. CHOUDHARY) PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER CUSTOMS, PUNE.