Procedures to be followed for Transshipment of Import / Export Containers by sea route at International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadom SEZ - Customs - TRADE FACILITY NO. 10/2012

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE : COCHIN 682009. F. No. S31/52/2008 Cus Pt. II Dated: 06.06.2012 TRADE FACILITY NO. 10/2012 Sub:- Procedures to be followed for Transshipment of Import / Export Containers by sea route at International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadom SEZ regarding. The following procedure is prescribed for transshipment of cargo by sea to sea route at ICTT, to be followed by the officers of Customs on deputation to SEZ. Accordingly the procedures laid down in Trade Facility 4/2011 dated 10.02.2011, with respect to transshipment of import containers through ICTT to other Foreign / Indian Ports by sea route and for receipt of export containers by sea route from other Indian Ports for shipment through ICTT is hereby modified to the extent specified below with immediate effect. Import (transshipment of import containers received at ICTT to other foreign /Indian Ports by sea route) 2. The Steamer Agents / Shipping Lines shall file Import General Manifest to the Customs under port code INCOK1, reflecting all import containers to be landed at ICTT including those meant for transshipment to other foreign / Indian ports. The port code of final port of discharge shall be mentioned against destination code in the IGM. 3. The Steamer Agents / Shipping Lines (carrier) shall submit request for transshipment of import containers to any foreign / Indian Port by sea route to the Specified officer of SEZ (SEZ Customs) along with a copy of the relevant IGM. The specified officer of SEZ will permit transshipment under Section 54 (3) of the Customs Act, 1962, subject to provisions of Section 11 of the Customs Act, 1962 and the instructions issued by the CBEC in this regard. 4. In case of transshipment to any Indian Port, the agency undertaking transhipment (carrier) shall execute bond with or without surety (as specified by the officer designated by SEZ for this purpose) as per Rule 3 of the Goods Imported (Conditions of Transshipment) Regulations, 1995.The bond shall be accepted by officer of SEZ specified for this purpose. 5. The containers shall be given allowed for loading by the Specified officer of SEZ (SEZ Customs), after verifying the containers and seal with reference to the declaration in the IGM/ Bill of lading. The loading will be under the supervision of the SEZ Customs. 6. In case of containers transshipped to any other Indian Port, the Specified Officer (SEZ Customs) shall ensure that the carrier submits the landing certificate from the proper officer of customs at the port of discharge within one month of transshipment. 7. The Specified officer (SEZ Customs), after permitting transshipment and sailing of the vessel shall submit a report of containers so transshipped to the Proper Officer of Customs (DoR Customs), indicating details like Arrival Vessel Name/ Voyage / Date, IGM No. / Line Number, Container Number and Departure Vessel Name/ Voyage/Date and EGM No. and a copy of the load report. In case of transshipment to any other Indian Port, the Specified officer of SEZ shall forward the landing certificate from the destination port to the Proper Officer of Customs along with the report mentioned above. The proper officer of Customs, on the basis of the report submitted by the Specified Officer will order closure of the relevant IGM lines. 8. Any case of prohibited goods manifested for transshipment, containers received without seal or tampered seals and goods manifested for transshipment and not transshipped within 30 days, any other irregularities noticed in respect of the import / export cargo etc. shall be immediately brought to the notice of the Superintendent of Customs (DoR) at ICTT, by the Specified Officer for initiating necessary actions as per the provisions of Customs Act, 1962. 9. The existing procedures will continue with respect to transshipment of imported containers from ICTT to other Indian Ports/ ICDs by road/ rail Export (receipt of export containers by sea route at ICTT for shipment to foreign destination) 10. The Steamer Agents / Shipping Lines shall file Import General Manifest to the Customs under port code INCOK1, reflecting all export containers loaded from any Indian Port to be landed at ICTT for export to the foreign port of destination. The port code of final port of discharge shall be mentioned against destination code in the IGM. 11. The Steamer Agent / Shipping Line (Carrier) shall submit request for transshipment of the containers to the SEZ Customs along with a copy of the relevant IGM and the sealed cover containing the transference copy of Shipping Bills received from the port of loading (port of origin). 12. The SEZ Customs shall verify the container and seal with reference to the endorsements in the transference copy of the Shipping Bill received from the port of origin and the IGM. The name of the vessel by which the containers are to be exported from ICTT shall be endorsed / amended in the Shipping Bill by the SEZ Customs. The containers will be given allowed for loading by the SEZ Customs and loaded to the vessel under their supervision. 13. After sailing of the vessel, the shipment details will be endorsed on the transference copy of the Shipping Bill by the Specified Officer (SEZ Customs). The Steamer Agents / Shipping Agents shall file the EGM with Customs under the Port Code INCOK1. They shall submit a copy of the EGM containing details of Export Containers transshipped through ICTT to the Specified Officer SEZ (SEZ Customs). The Specified Officer (SEZ Customs) shall return the endorsed copy of the transference copy of Shipping Bill along with a copy of the relevant EGM to the port of origin. 14. The SEZ Customs shall submit a report of the export containers received from other ports by sea and exported out from ICTT, to the Proper Officer of Customs (DoR), indicating details like Arrival Vessel Name/ Voyage / Date, IGM No. / Line Number, Container Number and Departure Vessel Name/ Voyage/Date and EGM No. and a copy of the load report. 15. Any case of prohibited goods manifested for transshipment, containers received without seal or tampered seals and goods manifested for transshipment and not transshipped within 30 days, any other irregularities noticed in respect of the import / export cargo etc. shall be immediately brought to the notice of the Superintendent of Customs (DoR) at ICTT, by the Specified Officer for initiating necessary actions as per the provisions of Customs Act, 1962. 16. The existing procedures will continue with respect to receipt of export containers from other Indian Ports/ ICDs by road/ rail for shipment through ICTT. 17. All instructions / circulars issued by the CBEC from time to time, to the extent they are relevant, shall be scrupulously followed. 18. The above procedure is subject to such amendments/ modifications that may be made from time to time, in order to safeguard revenue and address the security concerns. 19. In case of any difficulty, the same may be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs for remedial action. Sd/- (VIJAY KALSI) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS