24x7 clearance of import cargo - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 08/2020

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (ACC-IMPORT) NEW CUSTOMS HOUSE NEAR IGI AIRPORT. NEW DELHI-110037 C. No. VIII(12)Import/Tech./P.N./06/2020/3662-75 Date:- 24.02.2020 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 08/2020 Sub: 24x7 clearance of import cargo -reg. Attention of the importers. Customs Brokers and all other stakeholders is invited towards instruction No. 02 /2020-Customs dated 20.02.2020 issued by CBIC and Public Notice No- 05/2019 dated 06.03.2019 issued by this Commissionerate on above mentioned subject. 2. Due to ongoing shutdown in China on account of Corona Virus outbreak- there is an apprehension of disruption in supply of raw materials/ inputs to our industrial units which were dependent on these raw materials. There is a strong likelihood of an immediate surge in the imports from China once the spread of the virus is brought fully under control. 3. The existing facility of 24x7 Customs clearance as made available vide Public Notice No. 05/2019 dated 06.03.2019 issued by this Commissionerate for specified imports viz. goods covered by 'facilitated' Bills of Entry would continue. 4. In addition. to handle such emergent situations, it has been decided to adopt further measures to effectively strengthen the working so as to address any congestion or delay or surge on account of the prevailing conditions or cessation thereof. Working hours of all assessment groups shall be suitably extended and deployment of sufficient number of officers would be ensured for the customs clearance work outside regular office hours to tackle any incipient instance of congestion/ surge or delay The custodian and other stakeholders are also being requested to extend the clearance related work after regular office hours, to tackle such a situation. 5. To monitor the situation closely and to ensure prompt redressal of issues, a dedicated Helpdesk has been created at the import shed at ACC (Import) Commissionerate. Deputy Commissioner Shri Nitin Kuraien (mail to: [email protected]; telephone no.: 011-25601048) and Superintendent (Shed -Admn.) (mail to: [email protected]; telephone no. 011-25601092 / 011-49993891) may be contacted in case of any difficulty pertaining to examination related work. For any assessment related work, the respective Group DC/AC may be contacted. 6. Stakeholders are also requested to provide feedback regarding further strengthening of these measures to the Additional Commissioner of Customs (Technical), ACC (Import), New Delhi at [email protected]. 7. It has also been brought to notice that post outbreak of Corona Virus, there is likelihood of cargo arriving from China being stranded in the Port on account of non-receipt of basic import documents by the Indian consignees, resulting in late filing of Bills of Entry. Late filing of Bills of Entry attracts late fee in terms of Bill of Entry (Electronic Integrated Declaration and Paperless Processing) Regulations, 2018 vide notification No. 36/2018-Cus.(NT) dated 11.05.2018. The importers and Customs Brokers facing such problems are advised to bring such cases to the notice of the Joint/Additional Commissioner concerned, for appropriate consideration for waiver of late fee. 8. The instructions contained in para 4 to para 7 would remain in operation till end of May 2020 by which time the disruptions in the supply chains are expected to have settled. CRCL labs would also function 24x7 so that test results could be made available at the earliest. 9. All trade Associations/Members of Customs Brokers Association are requested to take note and publicize the contents of this Public Notice among their members/constituents. 10. Action to be taken in terms of decisions taken in this Public Notice should be considered as standing order for the purpose of officers and staff. 11. Difficulties, if any, may also be brought to the notice of the Additional Commissioner of Customs (Technical), ACC (Import), New Customs House. New Delhi. This issues with the approval of the Principal Commissioner of Customs. ACC (Import). New Custom House, New Delhi. (Bhagwat Prasad Sharma) Joint Commissioner of Customs (Technical) ACC (Import)