Pilot Project on use of videography in cases requiring 100% examination of cargo-reg. - Customs - Public Notice No. 103 of 2023

Office of the Chief Commissioner of Customs Mumbai Customs Zone-II JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE Post: Sheva, Taluka: Uran, District: Raigad, Maharashtra 400 707 Tel No.: 022-27244736 /Fax 27242402-022: Email: [email protected] DIN : 20231278NW000000A904 Dated : 01.12.2023 Public Notice No. 103 of 2023 Subject : Pilot Project on use of videography in cases requiring 100% examination of cargo-reg. Attention of the Importers, Custodians, Customs Brokers, Trade Industry, Shipping Lines/Shipping Agents and Container Freight Stations is drawn to a pilot project being initiated by JNCH with the intent to carry out the examination under videography for a few import consignments, which are marked for 100% examination. INTRODUCTION 2. JNCH has always been at the forefront of trade facilitation, technology adoption and ease of doing business. Building upon this approach, it has been decided to start a pilot project to carry out the examination under videography of a few consignments marked for 100% examination. It is expected to not only foster a professional approach among officers but also result in transparency in the examination process. This pilot study will be conducted from 1 to 31 December, 2023. The following procedure shall be adopted for carrying out 100% examination of the selected containers under videography. SELECTION CRITERIA 3. The following nine CFSs, viz. (i) Cluster A: Speedy MultiModes Ltd.; (ii) Cluster B: Seabird Marine Services Pvt. Ltd.; (iii) Cluster C:Gateway Distriparks Ltd. (GDL) CFS; (iv) Cluster D: CWC Distripark Ltd.; (v) Cluster E: All Cargo Logistics Ltd; (vi) Cluster F1: EFC Logistics (I) Pvt. Ltd.; (vii) Cluster F2: JWC Logistics Park Ltd.; (viii) Cluster G: Navkar Corporation-III CFS and (ix) Cluster H: Ashte Logistics Pvt. Ltd., have been selected for this pilot study. 4. One Additional / Joint Commissioner, namely Shri Tariq Mabood, Smt Mamta Saini and Shri Kamlesh Kumar, from each import Commissionerate viz NS-I, NS-III and NS-V respectively have been nominated by the jurisdictional Pr. Commissioner / Commissioner of Customs as the Nodal Officer. The Nodal officers shall select the import consignments for videography and communicate the details of the selected consignments to the Deputy / Assistant Commissioner, Docks concerned. 5. It has been decided that a minimum of three import containers would be examined under videography in each of the above referred CFS per week, i.e., at least 27 import containers marked for 100% examination will be examined under videography per week. 6. T h e Nodal officers shall select these containers from the pool of containers either marked suspicious by CSD or marked for 100% examination by RMS. Only a few containers having LCL cargo may be selected for the pilot study. In addition, during the pilot study, due emphasis shall also be given for the selection of consignments comprising diverse commodities for better understanding of potential challenges to be faced during 100% examination under videography. PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED AT CFS 7. The Docks officers shall be responsible for recording the entire process of examination, viz., external inspection of container; seal cutting; de-stuffing of cargo with special attention to the area marked suspicious by CSD or the RMS instructions, as the case maybe; examination of de-stuffed cargo and empty container; video of each item mentioned in the Bill of Entry; video of re-stuffed container; and video of affixing of seal on the re-stuffed container. This being a pilot project, Docks Officers are encouraged to make continuous improvements to the entire process of 100% examination under videography. 8. The Customs Broker concerned shall render all the required assistance, including timely submission of required documents and procedural tasks related to the CFS, to ensure successful completion of the examination under videography. They shall promptly notify difficulties, if any, faced during this process to the relevant Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Docks. 9. In terms of the provisions of Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations 2009, the CFS concerned shall make all necessary arrangements for ensuring availability of necessary equipment and other logistical supports for the successful implementation of this pilot project. They shall make available all the necessary equipment such as video camera, tripod, telescopic stick with camera holders, memory cards and related accessories for timely examination of the containers selected for 100% examination under videography. The CFS shall also assign one Surveyor and one videographer specifically for assisting the Docks Officer in this pilot project. The CFS shall also make arrangements for continuous recording of all the events starting from the inspection of the sealed stuffed container till the resealing of the container after completion of 100% examination and restuffing of the container. 10. It is also informed that the data of videography shall be stored in two external data storage devices to be arranged by the CFS concerned for keeping in safe custody of (i) the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs (Docks); and (ii) the Nodal Officer (Additional / Joint Commissioner of Customs)of the respective Import Commissionerate - NS-I, NS-III and NS-V. FEEDBACK MECHANISM 11. The Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs (Docks) concerned shall submit a comprehensive feedback report to the Appraising Main (Import) Section, JNCH regarding the examination done by them on the completion of this Pilot project, detailing the outcome of the examination, challenges faced and suggestions for the improvement of the process. 12. On the conclusion of the Pilot project, Customs Brokers and other stakeholders may also submit their suggestions and feedback to Appraising Main (Import) Section, JNCH. The Appraising Main (Import) Section shall, thereafter, analyse all the feedback and suggestions and submit a consolidated report to the CCO. 13. This Public Notice should be considered as Standing Order for the concerned Officers and Staff of this Custom House. 14. Difficulties faced (if any) may be bought immediately to the notice of the undersigned. 15. All the stakeholders including the trade and concerned associations are requested to take note of above for necessary action. ( P. N. Pandey ) Pr. Commissioner of Customs NS-I/JNCH