Introduction of lab module in ICES 1.5 for use by CRCL, Textile Committee and other Agencies - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 13/2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE: DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE, PORT AREA, VISAKHAPATNAM 530 035 F. No. S2/05/2016-EDI Date: 25/07/2016 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 13/2016 Sub: Introduction of lab module in ICES 1.5 for use by CRCL, Textile Committee and other Agencies reg. Kind attention of Importers, Customs Brokers, Trade and all other stakeholders is invited to Board Circular No. 10/2016 dated 15/03/2016 and this office Public Notice No. 04/2016 dated 28/03/2016 vide which Integrated Declaration under Indian Customs Single Window has been implemented. 2. Another feature has been introduced in ICES to bring online the process of referring samples of consignment for testing and analysis. It is referred to as the Lab Module . This feature is launched to automate the process of referring samples drawn from consignments to testing facilities of the Central Revenues Control Laboratories (CRCL). This module has been extended to cover the testing of consignments by laboratories/ referral agencies under the Textile Committee, and to other agencies to whom Customs may refer samples/ documentation for testing and/ or NOC. 3. Under the Lab Module , Customs officers who are responsible for examination of goods and drawl of samples can generate Test Memos online, record the details of the samples drawn online and print test memos. Customs department will duly dispatch the samples drawn from the consignment to the concerned laboratory/ referral agency. Upon receipt of the samples, the laboratories can access the Test Memo details online, and when test/ analysis is carried out, they shall record the results / findings online. These results/ recommendations can be accessed by the Customs instantaneously, and thereafter, Customs can take further necessary action on the consignment without waiting for the physical copy of the test results/ recommendation. 4. Under the Single Window Project, the Lab Module will be used when a reference has to be made by a Customs Officer online to another Government agency for NOC/ Clearance at the stage of examination, then a reference may be made using the Lab Module. For example, after going through examination instructions, Compulsory Compliance Requirements (CCRs), documents or goods, if the Officer seeks to forward a sample to another agency such as the Textile Committee for testing of samples, he may draw a sample and forward it to the agency after filling-up details on the Lab Module. 5. The required fees for testing etc, and the supporting documents required for these Laboratories/ referral agencies are not currently provided in the lab Module. Therefore, Importers/ Customs Brokers would continue to furnish the required documents to the respective agency as before. Further, the mode and manner of payment of testing fees and other charges to these Laboratories/ referral agencies will continue as per the existing practice. 6. This Custom House will maintain a close liaison with these Laboratories/ referral agencies to ensure that their responses are received without delay and action would be taken promptly with regard to the clearance of the goods. 7. The Lab Module shall be launched at Visakhapatnam Custom House with effect from 01/08/2016. The concerned laboratories have been mapped in the system with their corresponding Customs locations. 8. It may also be ensured that proactive action is taken to identify Test Memos for which Test Report has been received from these agencies within a reasonable time so that the same could be expedited. 9. Difficulty faced, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Assistant Commissioner (EDI) for redressel. -sd- (C. RAJENDIRAN) PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS