Duty free import of containers - CBEC's Customs Manual 2023 - Customs

3. Duty free import of containers: 3.1 As the containers themselves are liable to duty, Customs duty exemption is provided vide Notification No.104/94-Cus, dated 16-3-1994 which, inter-alia, facilitates them being taken out of the port without duty payment subject to execution of bond. The shipping agents are required to file this bond with the container cell of the Custom House, binding themselves to re-export containers within six months of their import into India. The period of six months may be extended by the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs for a further period of three months and thereafter by the Commissioner of periods not exceeding six months at one time, in terms of the said Notification. 3.2 The procedure for clearance of containers imported temporarily is as follows: (a) The nature of bond should be continuity bond (b) No Bank Guarantee / Security is required is furnished along with the bond. (c) Bond should be executed by shipping line, Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC), Steamer agents or their authorised representatives. (d) The bond amount should cover only the duty element of the imported containers and not the cargo it is carrying. (e) The validity period of the bond should be for a year, extendable till further such period as requested by the person executing the bond. (f) Till module for automatic matching of imported and export containers within permissible time is rolled out at all Customs ports, the process of monitoring of period of temporary importation would be done manually. [Refer Circulars No.83/1998-Cus, dated 5-11-1998 and No.31/2005-Cus, date 25-7-2007]