Standard Operating Procedure to be followed for "Direct Port Entry" and "Document Processing Zone" in VOC Port for Export of Containerised Cargo - Reg. - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE No. 16/2025

Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Office of the Commissioner of Customs Custom House, New Harbour Estate Thoothukudi 628004. Tel: 0461 2352655, Email: - [email protected] e-office File No. CUS/AG/PN/4/2025-POL Date : 09-04-2025 PUBLIC NOTICE No. 16/2025 Sub : Standard Operating Procedure to be followed for Direct Port Entry and Document Processing Zone in VOC Port for Export of Containerised Cargo - Reg. ********** Attention of the Exporters, Custom Brokers, Port Terminal Operators, Shipping Lines/Shipping Agents, CFSs and all other concerned is invited to the Notification No. 03/2024 dated 22.10.2024 issued by this Office approving specified part of VOC Port as Proper Place for Direct Port Entry of self-sealed Containers for export and Document Processing Zone. 2. As part of Ease of Doing Business, CBIC had rolled out Direct Port Entry facility across many formations with an objective to reduce dwell time of export cargo and cost involved in export by directly allowing entry of self-sealed export containers into the ports and processing export clearance in the port itself. 3. The Standard Operating procedures to be followed for the direct port entry of the export containers would be as follows : a) For all export goods laden containers, Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR) shall be generated by the concerned Terminal Operator (DBGT/TICT/VOC Port). In case of any delay in generation of EIR, Trucks may be parked at Truck Parking Terminal, VOC Port at Harbour Express Road, opposite to Fisheries College, Tuticorin. After generation of EIR, the Truck shall reach DPE premises through Blue gate of VOC Port along with the EIR copy, export Invoice, check list and packing list of the Shipping Bill and Annexure C to this office Facility Intimation No. 06/2017 dated 22.08.2017. b). The Customs Officer posted at in-gate shall verify EIR copy issued by the Terminal Operator and subsequently physically verify the condition of the seal and if the seal is found to be in order, the container will be allowed to enter DPE Premises, otherwise, appropriate action Customs Act, 1962 will be initiated. If a Shipping Bill covers more than one container, only after arrival of all containers, the Shipping Bill shall be registered. c) In case of export container selected for examination by the RMS, such containers shall be taken out of DPE through Blue Gate to the CFS of choice for examination without opening RFID self-seal. The examination of the container shall be carried out by the examining officer posted at CFS. Thereafter, such examined containers shall be re-sealed with customs seal by the Examination officer in the presence of Exporter/CB. Thereafter, examination report duly mentioning both seal Numbers (e-seal and customs seal) is to be communicated to Inspector, DPE officer. d) In case of container is selected for scanning, the procedure prescribed vide Public Notice No. 14/2018 dated 20.04.2018, Standing Order No. 03/2018 dated 20.04.2018 and Standard Operating Procedure dated 24.03.2025 is to be followed. e) On completion of the examination as the case may be, the Superintendent of Customs, DPE shall grant Let Export Order (LEO) in the system or initiate appropriate action as per provisions of Customs Act, 1962 read with other allied Acts. 4. M/s VOC Port Trust shall provide facilities in newly notified area for the verification of container number and seal by Customs Officer and facilitate proper inspection/examination, as the case may be, of the export goods by Customs in the designated area. 5. The Customs Broker/Shipping Line/Agents should not Impose any extra condition on the exporter to avail DPE facility. 6. This Public Notice shall be considered as Standing Order for the purpose of officers and staff of the Department. 7. The above facility of Direct Port Entry is with effect from 11.04.2025 and difficulties if any, may be brought to the notice of this Office. 8. Hindi Version follows. ( VIKAS NAIR ) COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS