Advisory for non-charging of container detention charges and Ground Rent charges during the lockdown period - Customs - Advisory No. 01/2020

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE: PORT AREA VISAKHAPATNAM - 530 035 F. No.. P3/20/2019-Stats Date: 17.04.2020 Advisory No. 01/2020 Sub: Advisory for non-charging of container detention charges and Ground Rent charges during the lockdown period - reg. Attention of all importers/ exporters, concerned stakeholders and the members of trade is invited to the subject above. 2. In the context of the national effort to battle with COVID-19, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has issued Order No. 40-3/2020 DM-I (A) dt. 24.03.2020 and further amendments to extending the lockdown in India till 3rd May 2020. In terms of clause, 18(i), the Customs is to function without any restriction apart from several other departments. 3. However, the complete lockdown in the country is found to have put the trade farticularly importers, under a very difficult situation, drive to prohibitory orders, relating to transport of goods along with movement of importers/Customs Brokers and their staff and thus making it not feasible to secure the release of imported goods. Moreover, due to ongoing lockdowns and prohibitory orders loading and transportation of goods to the importers premises is also very difficult become very difficult. 4. Apprehending that, the delay in securing release of goods from the ICD/CFS may result into containers detention charges levied by shipping lines along with container ground charges levied by CFS/ ICDs, importer and Custom Broker associations have requested the undersigned to look into the matter. 5. In view of extra ordinary current scenario and nation's effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, Shipping Lines and Custodians of ICDs are hereby advised to adopt a sympathetic and humanitarian approach while levying the container detention charges / ground rent and may not impose any container detention charges / Ground rent charges on import cargo during the lockdown period, over and above the free time arrangement. 6. In this regard, attention is invited to Ministry of shipping Guidelines vide F.No.PD- This is 14300/4/2020-PD.VII dated 31.03.2020 addressed to all the Major Ports. purely an advisory issued in public interest. (Dr. D. K. Srinivas) Pr. Commissioner of Customs