Implementation of UNSC Resolutions on Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK) - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE No. 23/2019

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE PORT AREA VISAKHAPATNAM - 530 035 F.N0.P3/12/2019-Stats Date: 24.06.2019 PUBLIC NOTICE No. 23/2019 Sub : Implementation of UNSC Resolutions on Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK) - Reg. Attention of all concerned is invited to the above mentioned subject. In the wake of nuclear tests conducted by DPRK on 06.01 2016, the UNSC has adopted resolution 2270 (2016) India, as a UN member state, is obliged under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to take binding commitments for implementing UNSC Resolutions. These resolutions are implemented by Ministry of external Affairs (MEA) in consultation with various agencies under the Government of India. UNSC Resolutions are mandatory in nature and hence their flawless implementation is required. Improper implementation has implications on India's image in the international community and may also adversely affect India's efforts to become member of international Export Control Regimes such as Nuclear Supply Group 2. The last UNSC non-proliferation order on Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) (North Korea) was notified by DGFT vide Notification No. 41/2015-20 dated 21.03.2017 Further, on 5th August, 2017 the UNSC has adopted another Resolution No. S/RES/2371 (2017) notified by DGFT vide Notifications No. 35/2015-20 dated 18.10.2017 and No. 52/2015-20 dated 07.03.2018 which reaffirms earlier UNSC Resolutions on DPRK (North Korea) and adds certain other sets of prohibitions and decisions. 3. Recently, certain instances of violation of these notifications were brought to the notice of the Board wherein certain Bills of entry were cited where the country of origin was declared as DPRK. Similarly, there are also certain shipping bills whose destination was declared as DPRK. On examination of the matter, it was reported that the actual country of origin / destination country was other than DPRK and they were inadvertently entered so without due diligence. These mistakes put Indian Customs in a bad light and makes it difficult for the Board to explain MEA. MEA in turn faces embarrassment in international forums. 4 Indian Customs is expected to play a pivotal role in implementation of these UNSC Resolutions on DPRK, especially those related to prohibition in import and export of goods. Therefore, all the stakeholders are requested to be careful while filing Bill of Entries / Shipping Bills about the Country of Origin or destination of the goods. 5 Any difficulties, in this regard, may be brought to the notice of the Assistant/ Deputy Commissioner of Customs (EDI), Custom House, Visakhapatnam. (Dr. D. K. Srinivas) Pr. Commissioner of Customs