Imports from North Korea (KP) / Exports to North Korea (KP)- reg. - Customs - Public Notice No. 09 / 2024

OFFICE OF THE PR. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (NS I), APPRAISING MAIN (IMPORT) JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE, SHEVA, / TAL- /URAN, /DISTRICT- RAIGAD, /MAHARASHTRA-400707 email : [email protected] Telephone No: 022-27244979 DIN No. - 20240278NW000000EFC3 Dated : 12.02.2024 Public Notice No. 09 / 2024 Subject : Imports from North Korea (KP) / Exports to North Korea (KP)- reg. Attention of importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders is invited to DGFT Notification No.52/2015-20 dated 07.03.2018, vide which the import and export policy of DGFT had been further amended outlining the prohibitions on imports from Democratic People s Republic of Korea (DPRK)/North Korea and exports to DPRK/North Korea in para 2.17 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20. DGFT has also issued Trade Notice No.16/2020 dated 16thMay 2019 to further clarify item descriptions and corresponding HS codes relevant to the said notification dated 07.03.2018. 2. The provisions relating to prohibition on direct or indirect import and export from/to DPRK are now stipulated in Para 2.18 and Appendix I of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. 3. The importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders are advised to strictly adhere to the aforementioned policy provisions and submit correct data while filing a Bill of Entry or Shipping Bill. Any wrong declaration with regard to Country of Origin/Destination may invite penal action, besides other appropriate action under Customs Act 1962. In case of inadvertent data entry mistakes or bonafide errors in data submission, prompt corrective action should be taken by filing an amendment prior to the clearance of the goods. 4. Instances have come to light where the Country of Origin/Destination has been erroneously mentioned as DPRK (North Korea) (KP), and yet such import/export consignments were cleared without the requisite amendments. 5. In this regard, attention is drawn to Board s Instruction No.19/2020- Customs dated 18.11.2020, directing all Customs field formations to ensure strict compliance of the legal prohibitions in force in regard to imports/exports from/to DPRK (North Korea), and in case of bonafide errors in data entry, the Customs clearance (OOC/LEO) is to be allowed only after amending the Bill of Entry/Shipping Bill to delete the incorrect reference to DPRK (North Korea) and mentioning the correct Country of import/export (other than North Korea). 6. JNCH Officers are hereby once again directed to meticulously follow RMS instructions in this regard and comply with the above Board s Instruction. 7. This Public Notice should be considered as Standing Order for the concerned Officers and Staff of this Custom House. 8. In case of any difficulty, the same may be brought to the notice of Additional Commissioner in charge of Appraising Main (Import), NS-I (email address: [email protected]). ( P. N. Pandey ) Pr. Commissioner of Customs, NS-I, JNCH Instruction No.19/2020-Customs F. No.450/88/2016-Cus- IV Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue (Central Board of Indirect Taxes Customs) ***** Room No.227B, North Block, New Delhi, dated the 18th of of November, 2020. To, All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive), All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs Central tax, All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive), All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs Central tax. All Principal Director Generals/Director Generals under CBIC. Madam/Sir, Subject: Imports from North Korea (KP)/Exports to North Korea(KP)- reg. The undersigned is directed to refer to the United Nations Security Council`s (UNSC) Resolution relating to the above subject, the latest being 2397 (2017). The UNSC`s resolutions have been adopted by Government of India and the above stated resolution has been given force in law by way of DGFT Notification No.52/2015-20 dated 07.03.2018. 2. Vide the above said Notification dated 07.03.2019, the import and export policy of DGFT has been further amended outlining the prohibitions on imports from North Korea and exports to North Korea in para 2.17 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20. DGFT has also issued Trade Notice No.16/2020 dated 16th May 2019 to further clarify item descriptions and corresponding HS codes relevant to the said notification dated 07.03.2018. 3. It is noticed that several consignments have been interdicted by RMS in this regard. Upon scrutiny of these instances of imports/exports, it has been found that these are due to inadvertent data entry mistakes at the time of filing the Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills. However, despite instructions from the RMS to amend such data entry errors, Customs field formations have been clearing such import/export consignments without the requisite amendments. It may be appreciated that, once OOC/LEO is given without amendments, the data gets published by Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) leading to avoidable misinformation of violations of import/export prohibitions in this regard. 4. All Customs field formations are directed to ensure strict compliance of the legal prohibitions in force in regard to imports/exports from/to North Korea, and in case of bonafide errors in data entry, the Customs clearance (OOC/LEO) are to be allowed only after amending the data entry to delete the incorrect reference to North Korea and mention the correct Country of import/export (other than North Korea). 5. Suitable amendments in the RMS would also be made promptly. 6. Any difficulty in this regard may be informed to Board. Yours faithfully, ( Ananth Rathakrishnan ) Deputy Secretary (Customs) Email : [email protected] Ph 01123095551