Review of entity based facilitation programmes viz. Accredited Client Programme (ACP) and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme - Revised guidelines - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE No. 23/2016

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE: PORT AREA: VISAKHAPATNAM: 530 035 F. No. S22/08/2013-SIIB Date: 18.10.2016 PUBLIC NOTICE No. 23/2016 Subject: Review of entity based facilitation programmes viz. Accredited Client Programme (ACP) and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme - Revised guidelines. Reg. Attention of all the Importers, Exporters, Customs Brokers and all stakeholders involved in Customs clearance is invited to the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) Circular No. 33/2016-Customs dated 22.07.2016 on the above subject. 2. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has decided to merge the two facilitation schemes, i.e., Accredited Client Programme (ACP) and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme into a combined three-tier AEO programme, and also enhance the scope of these programmes so as to provide further benefits to the business entities who have demonstrated strong internal control system and willingness to comply with the laws administered by the CBEC. 3. The prominent features of the new programme are: i) Inclusion of Direct Port Delivery of imports to ensure just-in-time inventory Management by manufacturers clearance from wharf to warehouse. ii) Inclusion of Direct Port Entry for factory 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 FTS/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 of Partner Government Agencies and other Stakeholders as part of this programme. 4. The revised AEO Programme is appended to this Public Notice. 5. Board s Circular No. 42/2005 dated 24.11.2005 as amended regarding the ACP scheme and Circular No 28/2002-Customs dated 16.11.2012 regarding AEO programme stand superseded with issue of the CBEC Circular No 33/2016. 6. All the entities already certified under AEO Programme pursuant to Circular Nos. 37/2011-Customs dated 23.08.2011 and 28/2012-Customs 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 the CBEC Circular No. 33/2016 dated 22.07.2016 subject to their adherence to prescribed standards and guidelines issued in this regard. 7. 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 the CBEC Circular No 33/2016 dated 22.07.2016. They are required to submit their application in terms of this circular within 90 days. In the meantime, they are being provisionally granted the status of AEO-T1 till a decision is taken on their application. 8. All the business entities who desire to get the certification under the revised AEO program should directly apply to the AEO Programme Manager, Directorate General of Performance Management, Customs Central Excise, D; Block, I.P.Bhawan, I.P. Estate, New Delhi 110 002. Additional Director General, Directorate General of Performance Management is the AEO Programme Manager and AEO Programme team comprise Officers from the Directorate General of Performance Management and its regional Offices. All communication between AEO/AEO applicants and Program Manager shall be through e-mail at [email protected]. 9. However, a team of Officers of this Custom House, as detailed below, has been constituted who will act as Nodal Officers for the purpose of guiding the new applicants for certification as well as the existing ACP clients switch over to the AEO status. S No Name of the Officer Designation Telephone No.(0891) 1 Shri Kshitij Jain Dy. Commissioner 2825138 2 Smt B Jyoti Kiran Dy. Commissioner 2825131 3 Shri Dipak Zala Asst. Commissioner 2825122 4 Shri B V Raja Sekhar Superintendent 2825144 5 Shri N Rajendra Superintendent 2828127 10. For any assistance required in relation to AEO Programme, the above mentioned Nodal Officers may be contacted during the office hours. Alternately, correspondence regarding AEO program can also be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. -sd- (C RAJENDIRAN) Pr. Commissioner of Customs