Outbreak of COVID-19- Facilitation Measures During lockdown period - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 22/2020

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE PORT AREA: VISAKHAPATNAM - 530035 F. No: P3/20/2019-AM(Stats) Date 30.03.2020 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 22/2020 Subject: Outbreak of COVID-19- Facilitation Measures During lockdown period -Regarding Attention of Importers, Exporters, Custom Brokers, General Trade, Port Terminal Operator, Shipping Lines/Shipping Agents, CFSs and all other stakeholders is invited to the above cited subject. Custom House, Visakhapatnam has issued Public Notice No.21/2020 already outlining the procedure for waiver of late fee charges for the delayed filing of bills of entry. Further, keeping in view, the situation arising due to lockdown in the country, certain issues were identified and in consultation With trade, the following measures were taken to minimize the physical human interference in Customs processes and also to facilitate smooth clearance, during this period 1. PORT CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE: Agents can submit request for issue of Port Clearance through email [email protected] along with the scanned copy of required documents along with their contact details for communication. The email will be forwarded to the section concerned for approval and once the PC is granted the same will be communicated to the agent. 2. Print/Reprint of Bills of Entry: In case of difficulties being faced by the agents while generating printouts of Bills of Entry, after OOC and when the bills is ripe for print a facility is being created at the Service Center in Customs House also in addition to the existing facility at CFS. The service centre at Custom House is manned from AM to 10.00 AM (except Sundays and holidays) and one Asst/Deputy Commissioner designated for approving re-prints on receipt of request from the Agents/Importer will also be available. 3. Transshipment Applications: Based on the estimated volume of business, agents can pre-pay transshipment application fee in advance an estimated lump-sum basing on their future requirement. ITP Section shall maintain a Register showing agent wise credit and adjust the applicable fee against each Transhipment permission and endorse the same on TSA. Agents can submit their application online through mail to this office along with the details of fee pre-paid. On receipt of the application by mail, the same would be processed by ITP Cell permission will be communicated by mail, online, directly to the agent. 4. The mail correspondence may be made on [email protected]. Shri. Kiran Saikam, Inspector (Sevottam) (Mobile No.8886443441), is designated to receive the mail communication and obtain necessary approvals from the concerned sections and communicating the same to the agents. 5. It is to be noted that all request applications sent by mail should have necessary documents attached while seeking approvals. The above facility is valid only during the lockdown period and the earlier/existing practice/procedure will be reinstated on completion of the lockdown period (Dr. D. K. Srinivas) Pr. Commissioner of Customs