Review of entity based facilitation programmes viz. Accredited Client Programme ACP and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme - Customs - Public Notice 13/2016

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, CUSTOM HOUSE, NEAR AKASHWANI, NAVRANGPURA, AHMEDABAD - 380009. F. No. VIII/48-75/Cus/T/2016 Dated:-02.08.2016 Public Notice 13/2016 Subject: Review of entity based facilitation programmes viz. Accredited Client Programme ACP and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme - Revised Guidelines. All the Importers, Exporters and the Trade are hereby informed that in pursuant to circulation of Central Board of Excise Customs Circular 33/2016-Cus dated 22.07.2016 issued from F.No.450/179/2009-Cus.IV(Pt), which is available on website www.cbec.gov.in the guideline for entity based facilitation programmes viz. Accredited Client Programme (ACP) and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme stands revised in supersession of earlier Circulars viz.,Circulars no. 42/2005 dated 24.11.2005 as amended regarding the ACP scheme and circular no 28/2012-Customs dated 16.11.2012 regarding AEO programme. The Board has decided to merge the two facilitation schemes namely Accredited Client Programme (ACP) and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) into a combined three-tier AEO programme, and also enhance the scope of these programmes so as to provide further benefits to the entities who have demonstrated strong internal control system and willingness to comply with the laws administered by the Central Board of Excise and Customs. The prominent features of the new programme are: i. Inclusion of Direct Port Delivery of imports 10 ensure just-in-time inventory management by manufacturers - clearance from wharf to warehouse. ii. Inclusion of Direct Port Entry for fact01Y stuffed containers meant for export by AEOs. iii. Special focus on small and medium scale entities - any entity handling 25 import or export documents annually can become part of this programme iv. Provision of Deferred Payment of duties - delinking duty payment and Customs clearance v. Mutual Recognition Agreements with other Customs Administrations vi. Faster disbursal of drawback amount vii. Fast tracking of refunds and adjudications viii. Extension of facilitation to exports in addition to imports ix. Self-certified copies of FTA / PTA origin related or any other certificates required for clearance would be accepted x. Request based on-site inspection /examination xi. Paperless declarations with no supporting documents xii. Recognition by Partner Government Agencies and other Stakeholders as part of this programme 3. The revised AEO Programme is appended to Circular NC. 33/2016-CUs dated 22.07.2016. 4. Board Circulars No. 42/2005 dated 24.11.2005 as amended regarding the ACP scheme and No. 28/2012-Customs dated 16.11.2012 regarding AEO programme stand superseded with issue of this circular. 5. All the entities already certified under AEO Programme pursuant to Circular No 37/2011- cus., dated 23.08.2011 and No. 28/2012-Circular dated 16.11.2012 would now be accorded the status of AEO-T2 or AEO-LO, as the case may be, and shall be entitled to benefits as per this circular subject to their adherence to prescribed standards and guidelines issued in this regard. 6. The entities already accorded the ACP status pursuant to Circular No. 42/2005 dated 24.11.2005 as amended are being granted one time opportunity for transition to the AEO status in terms of this circular. They are required to submit their applications in terms of this circular within 90 days. In the meantime, they are being provisionally granted the status of AEO-TI till a decision IS taken on their application. 7. The relevant Circular No. 33/2016-Cus dated 22.07.2016 along with the elaborated guidelines can accessed at: http://www.cbec.gov.in/resources//htdocs-cbec/customs/cs-circulars/cs- circulars-2016/circ33-2016cs-revised.pdf. 8. Difficulty faced, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Department. [Ajay Jain] Principal Commissioner Customs, Ahmedabad