Encouraging Women participation in International Trade - Reg., Inclusion of gender specific infrastructure facilities to be provided by the Custodian CCSP-CFS/AFS/ICD under the HCCAR, 2009 - Reg. - Customs - Public Notice No. 14 / 2024

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS NEW CUSTOMS HOUSE, PANAMBUR, MANGALURU 575 010 Telephone No. 0824-2408164, website- -www.bangalorecustoms.gov.in , Email- [email protected] File No. CUS/LIC/MISC/512/2024-CH-O/O-COMMR-CUS-MANGALURU Computer No. 1363489 DIN: 20240872MQ0000419903 Date: 01-08-2024 Public Notice No. 14 / 2024 PART-A Subject : Encouraging Women participation in International Trade - Reg. ***** Kind attention of all the Custodians, Customs Brokers, Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Importers, Exporters, and other stakeholders working in the jurisdiction of Mangaluru Customs, is invited to Circular No.02/2024-Customs dtd.08.03.2024 issued by the CBIC, New Delhi, on the above subject. 2. To make the most of trade as a catalyst for equality, women must be represented at all levels. Women also must be represented across different job roles and functions of trade be it as traders, customs house agents, freight forwarders, or customs brokers. Keeping in view the growing participation of women in the logistics sector, a conscious effort is required by all participants including Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) and trade bodies in this regard. 3. In view of the above, it is requested the Trade to i. Ensure Representation of women in the Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) and Customs Clearance Facility Committee (CCFC) meetings, preferably through women associations. ii. Ensure include of at least one agenda point from women perspective. iii. Establish dedicated help desks and processing mechanisms for women traders and women logistics service providers. iv. Support in upskilling women logistics service providers, freight forwarders and custom brokers by offering relevant trainings for women. 4. Difficulty, if any, faced in implementation of this Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs, Mangaluru Commissionerate, Panambur, Mangaluru-575010 vide E-mail to [email protected]. PART-B Subject : Inclusion of gender specific infrastructure facilities to be provided by the Custodian CCSP-CFS/AFS/ICD under the HCCAR, 2009 - Reg. ***** Kind attention of all the Custodians and Custodian CCSP of CFS/AFS/ICD working in the jurisdiction of Mangaluru Customs, is invited to Circular No.03/2024-Customs dtd.08.03.2024 issued by the CBIC, New Delhi, on the above subject. 2. Circular No. 50/2020-Customs dated 05.11.2020 provides that the custodian shall also take steps to bring about necessary improvements in the infrastructural facilities and other amenities required to be provided to the trade and to Customs staff, as may be necessitated from time to time, consequent upon the growth in the volume of Import and Export Trade handled at the CFS/AFS/ICD. Further, as per the check list of this Circular, the custodians should create gender specific and mainstreaming infrastructure facilities including special Exim counters for the female customs brokers/traders, separate workplace, customer care cells, essential utilities, restrooms etc. 3. It is also worth mentioning that the participation of women at the CFS/AFS/ICD has increased significantly through the different job roles and functions of trades in the recent past which demands for providing safe working places for women at such facilities for fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment for them. In view of the Government of India dedication to promote Nari Shakti, it is imperative to provide safe and secure working environment to women for furtherance in respective career field. 4. Accordingly, it has been decided that in addition to the existing infrastructural facilities as provided by the Custodian CFS/AFS/ICD under Regulation 5 of the HCCAR 2009, the following gender specific infrastructural facilities may also be encouraged for inclusiveness of women participation: i. Gender responsive infrastructure at the logistics facilities to improve workplace efficiency of women workforce including sufficient lightening, panic buttons etc; ii. Provision for care infrastructure and services, especially creches, per the rules laid out in the Maternity Benefits Act, 2017; iii. Establishment of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment At Work Places Act, 2013; iv. Holding regular gender sensitization training sessions for all the staff of CFS/AFS/ICD and field formations; v. Regular upgradation of facilities from a gender perspective; vi. Any other gender specific facilities to have inclusive work place ecosystem. 5. Difficulty, if any, faced in implementation of this Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs, Mangaluru Commissionerate, Panambur, Mangaluru-575010 vide E-mail to [email protected]. ( P. VINITHA SEKHAR ) Commissioner of Customs, NCH, Mangaluru. Copy submitted to : 1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru Zone. Copy to: 1. All Custodians, Custodian CCSP of CFS/AFS/ICD, Customs Brokers, Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Importers, Exporters, and other stakeholders working in the jurisdiction of Mangaluru Customs. 2. Mangalore Customs House Agents Association (Association of Custom Brokers), for displaying the Public Notice in their Notice Board. 3. Mangalore Steamer Agents Association (Association of Steamer Agents), for displaying the Public Notice in their Notice Board. 4. Mangaluru Customs Website. 5. Notice Board of NCH, Mangaluru Customs.