ICES Advisory on PDF copies of eOOC and eGatepass - Customs - Public Notice No. 19/2020

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (EXPORT) INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT, TUGHLAKABAD, NEW DELHI-110020. C. No. VIII/ICD/TKD/Tech./Imp/PN/111/2018 Date: 15.04.2020 Public Notice No. 19/2020 Sub: ICES Advisory on PDF copies of eOOC and eGatepass - Reg. Attention of all the Importers, Custom Brokers, Shipping Lines/Agents, Logistics Service Providers and all other Stakeholders is invited to Board's Circular No. 19/2020- Customs dated 13.04.2020 and the Public No. 18/2020 dated 14.04.2020 issued by this Commissionerate on the issue of Paperless Customs - Electronic Communication of PDF based Gatepass and OOC Copy of Bill of Entry to Custom Brokers/Importers' 2. All the concerned are aware that the PDF version first copy of the BEs, generated after assessment are already being sent by mail to the Importers/Customs Brokers. At many places, this copy is already being used for shed examination/compliance verification instead of the physical printout. Now, in accordance with the Circular, the PDF version of the final copy of the BE as well as the Gatepass will also be sent by email automatically on OOC w.e.f. 15.042020. 3. It is pertinent to mention here that while the salient features of these newly introduced eDocuments have been elucidated in the aforementioned Circular and Public Notice No. 18/2020 dated 14.04.2020, following points may kinddy be noted for verification. a. As is the case with PDF First copy, the eOOC and the eGatepass copies will bear a secure, digitally signed and encrypted QR code. The authenticity of the document can be verified by scanning the QR code using the ICETRAK mobile app available on the Google Playstore (Android). A valid QR code would return details like BE No/BE Dt, IEC, Port Code, Document version etc. b. Since both the First as well as Final copies of OOC can be generated more than once (in case of reassessment, OOC cancellation), checking whether the version presented is indeed the latest and valid one is important. For this purpose, an enquiry is being given on the ICEGATE website under Public Enquiries Document Status Bili of Entry to verify whether the Document version returned on scanning the QR code is indeed the valid version. Going forward, an app would be made available on the ICE TAB using which the examining officer can directly verify the PDF First copy through ICES itself. c. The eGatepass copy will also have a similar QR code for every container under that Bill of Entry which can also be scanned and verified as detailed above. This will ure secure gate out of eligible containers only. For non-containerized cargo, only B/L details and total packages would be available in the QR code. D he eGatepass copy is generated only for the purpose of Customs verification. The EDI OOC message will continue to be transmitted to the registered Custodians through MFTP. In this context, as instructed in the Board's Circular, concerted efforts may be made to ensure that all the custodians in ICD, Tughlakabad-Import Commissionerate are registered on ICEGATE and have on-boarded the ICEGATE MFTP (ref. ICES Advisory 14/2019 dt 13.06.2019) e. It may also be noted that above initiatives are being implemented to do away with the physical signing and collection of documents. Instructions given in this regard in the Board's circular may therefore be adhered to. 4. All the trade associations/members of Customs Brokers Association are requested to take note and publicize the contents of this Public Notice among their member/constituents. 5. For the departmental officer, this may be treated as Standing Order. 6. Difficulties, if any, may be brought to the notice of Additional Commissioner of Customs (Technical), ICD-IMPORT, TKD, New Delhi. This issues with the approval of Principal Commissioner of Customs, ICD-Import, Tughlakabad, New Delhi. (V. K. Ahirwar) Deputy Commissioner of Customs, ICD-Import, TKD, New Delhi.