Container Movement Control Cell (CMCC) – Partial modification of the procedure for movement of import containers from the port/terminal - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 95 /2007

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (PORT) CUSTOM HOUSE, NO.60 RAJAJI SALAI CHENNAI - 600 001 F. No. S. Misc. 515/2007-(Prev.) Dated: 03.08.2007 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 95 /2007 Sub: Container Movement Control Cell (CMCC) Partial modification of the procedure for movement of import containers from the port/terminal Reg. Attention of the Chennai Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd (CCTL),Importers, Exporters, Custodians, CHAs and the public is invited to the Public Notice 115/2004 dated 22.06.2004, which provides for affixing the additional Customs One Time Seal on the containers being taken out of the CCTL area. 2. Representations have been received from the aforementioned stakeholders that the procedure of double sealing of containers causes delay in movement of containers resulting into congestion. The problem has further accentuated with the growing volume of container traffic through the Chennai port/terminal. 3. In the circumstances, a request has been made that the procedure prescribed vide Public Notice No. 115/2004 dated 22.06.2004, which inter alia prescribes for affixing additional Customs One Time Bottle Seal (OTBS) should be done away. 4. The request has been examined in detail. Clause (c) of the Rule 6 of the Goods Imported (Conditions of Transhipment) Regulations, 1995, provides that: in the case of a container which has been sealed by one time bottle seal by shipping lines or their agents and the Customs have been informed of the serial number of such seal, such container shall not be required to be sealed by the Customs as required under clause (a) or clause (b) at the gateway port prior to their despatch to ICDs / CFS / Ports by rail / motor vehicle / vessels. 5. Accordingly, it has been decided that the Customs Preventive Officers posted at the CCTL/CMCC out gate are not required to affix an additional Customs OTBS, if during verification it is found that the load port OTBS/OTBS affixed by the Shipping Lines or their agents are intact on the containers. 6. Further, in partial modification of the existing procedure being followed, the following procedure is prescribed, which is in conformity with the Goods Imported (Conditions of Transhipment) Regulations, 1995: a) Every day M/s.CCTL, the terminal operator, shall furnish a list of containers where the load port OTBS has been found missing or tampered, to the Customs preventive officers posted at the CCTL/CMCC out gate; b) In respect of container, where the load port OTBS is found missing or tampered , Customs preventive officers at the CCTL/CMCC out gate shall reseal the said container with the Customs OTBS, in the presence of the custodian(refers here, to the terminal operator, M/S.CCTL) or the shipping agent. On such containers, M/S.CCTL shall affix stickers prominently to indicate that OTBS missing/ found tampered; Resealed by the Customs; To be examined 100% . c) Customs preventive officers posted at the CCTL/CMCC out gate shall keep a record of all such containers, where resealing has been done using the Customs OTBS, including the Customs OTBS number; d) Such resealed containers shall be examined 100% at the container freight stations/inland container depots by the Customs officers and findings shall be duly recorded . Such cases will be put up to the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner for orders and further action, if any; e) Save as above changes, the procedure prescribed in the Public Notice 115/2004 dated 22.06.2004 shall continue. In view of the removal of the double sealing procedure, it shall be mandatory on the part of the shipping lines/agents to affix their containers with one time bottle seal and also mention correctly the load port OTBS number as also the container number and the destination CFS/ICD code in the IGM; f) For local movement of containers from the port to the container freight stations, the custodian/CFS shall prepare a Delivery Schedule every day listing the container wise details viz., container number, Load port seal number, size (20 feet or 40 feet) of the container and the list of the containers that are proposed to be evacuated from the terminal, during the day. A copy of such Delivery Schedule shall be submitted on a daily basis to the Customs preventive officer posted at the CCTL/CMCC out gate, port exit gate, and in gate of the CFS, to track the movement and also account for the containers. 7. It is also to inform that all those concerned who do not follow the above procedure, their cases will be dealt with independently by the proper officers on merit. 8. This Public Notice comes into effect from 16th August 2007. 9. Views, comments and difficulties if any in the implementation of this Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the undersigned. Sd/- (RAJ KUMAR BARTHWAL) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS SEAPORT (IMPORT)