Safe custody of detained/ seized/ Confiscated cargo and inspection of Unclaimed/ Uncleared/ Abandoned Cargo – Reg. - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE No. 12/2025

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE NEW HARBOUR ESTATE : TUTICORIN Phone : 0461-2352655, 2352633 Fax 0461-2352019 C. No. CUS/SIIB/MISC/229/2025-SIIB Date: 04.04.2025 PUBLIC NOTICE No. 12/2025 Sub : Safe custody of detained/ seized/ Confiscated cargo and inspection of Unclaimed/ Uncleared/ Abandoned Cargo Reg. ****** Kind attention of Terminal Operators, Custodians, Importers, Exporters, Customs Brokers, Authorized Persons of all above Associations and Federations representing the above persons, and all other concerned stakeholders is invited to the aforementioned subject. In this regard, the following directions are issued regarding the safe custody of SIIB detained/ seized/ confiscated cargo and inspection of Unclaimed/ Uncleared/ abandoned Cargo. This Public Notice shall serve as a Standing Order for the purpose of officers and staff of the Department. 1. Safe Custody of detained/ Seized/ Confiscated cargo a. Any information received by the Custodian regarding the detention/ seizure or confiscation of any Import/ Export cargo shall immediately be brought to the notice of the Customs officers posted at the ICD/CFS and Deputy/Assistant Commissioner in charge of the ICD/CFS. In case the goods are detained / Seized/ Confiscated by DRI or any other investigating agency outside the administrative control of Tuticorin Customs Commissionerate, the same shall be immediately brought to the attention of the Additional/ Joint Commissioner of Customs (SIIB) by the respective Deputy/Assistant Commissioner (ICD/CFS). b. The officers posted at ICD/CFS shall maintain a register to record the details of all the detained/ seized/ confiscated cargo in the respective CFS and submit a monthly report to the Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner of Customs (SIIB) for reporting to the Additional/ Joint Commissioner of Customs (SIIB). c. The containers/cargo detained/ seized/ confiscated by SIIB shall not be opened without the presence of SIIB officers. Where the presence of SIIB officers could not be ensured due to any reasons and the situation warrants opening of the container/ cargo (where cargo is stored in warehouse), the same shall be done only in the presence of Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner of Customs (ICD/CFS) after intimation to the Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner of Customs(SIIB). d. The custodian will be responsible for the physical custody of the packages and ensure that the container s seals are intact. Further, the Custodian has to ensure that the goods stored in his charge are being properly kept and none of the packages/ goods show any sign of deterioration. The same shall be supervised by the Superintendent(ICD/CFS) and Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner of Customs(ICD/CFS) on a periodical basis. 2. Inspection of unclaimed/ uncleared/ abandoned cargo a. Kind attention is drawn to Section 48 of Customs Act, 1962, CBIC Circular No. 49/2018-Customs dated 03.12.2018 on the subject of disposal of unclaimed/ uncleared/ abandoned cargo. In this regard, it is directed that, pending disposal, any proceedings involving the storage, safe custody, opening of seals, inspection of cargo, inventorization and other incidental activities pertaining to the disposal of Unclaimed/ Uncleared/ abandoned cargo shall be strictly carried out as per the provisions of the CBIC Circular No. 49/2018-Customs dated 03.12.2018. b. Any discrepancies noticed in respect of the Unclaimed/ Uncleared/ abandoned cargo by the Custodian shall be brought to the attention of the Superintendent/ Inspector(ICD/CFS) and Deputy /Assistant Commissioner (ICD/CFS) immediately, who in turn shall immediately submit a report to the Additional/ Joint Commissioner of Customs (SIIB) for further action. c. The Custodian shall submit a monthly report on the Unclaimed/ Uncleared/ abandoned cargo lying in their approved premises to the Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner of Customs (SIIB) for reporting to Additional/ Joint Commissioner of Customs (SIIB). 3. Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs(ICD/CFS) shall monitor the compliance of the above instructions and any difficulties faced in the compliance of the same shall immediately brought to the attention of the undersigned. 4. Non-compliance of the above directions by Custodians would attract penal action under Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations, 2009. This is issued with the approval of Commissioner of Customs, Tuticorin. Sree Hari Sankar P JOINT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (SIIB) CUSTOM HOUSE, TUTICORIN