Procedure for consolidation of export cargo - CBEC's Customs Manual 2023 - Customs

3. Procedure for consolidation of export cargo: 3.1 Broadly, the procedure for consolidation of export cargo at the gateway ports is as follows: (i) LCL cargo brought to an ICD/CFS is subject to routine documentation, assessment and examination by Customs. After examination and clearance of LCL cargo at the ICD/CFS, the packages opened for Customs examination are sealed by Customs. The shipping line is required to use identification mark on each package, clearly indicating serial number of package, description of goods, total number of packages covered under that particular shipping bill, exporter s identity and their own codified identity; (ii) After completion of Customs formalities, the packages are handed over to the custodians along with two transference copies of Shipping Bill, certified copies of invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading and other documents; (iii) The custodian consolidates the cargo irrespective of shipping line and destination and stuffs these in containers. After sealing of such containers in presence of Customs, containers are carried to the gateway port or a CFS near gateway port by the custodian; (iv) At the gateway port, the documents are handed over to Customs and the containers are opened in presence of Customs. The cargo is handed over to shipping lines/ their agents/MTOs/consolidators, etc., who re-work the cargoes received from different ICDs as well as cargo cleared for export at the gateway port or CFSs near the gateway port and re-stuff the cargo in containers destination-wise in presence of Customs; (v) The custodians of the gateway port or CFS near gateway port have to maintain a tally sheet container-wise indicating details of the export consignments, the previous container number, Shipping Bill number, AR-4 number and the details of new containers in which goods are re-stuffed; (vi) The container number in which such cargoes are stuffed is to be indicated by the Customs Officer on both the transference copies of Shipping Bill and AR-4. One copy of Shipping Bill is retained by the Customs at the gateway port and other copy of Shipping Bill is returned to the originating ICD/CFS; (vii) The LCL cargo cleared by Customs at the ICD/CFS is normally not to be examined again by Customs at the gateway port or at the CFS where LCL cargo is being consolidated; and (viii) The Drawback is to be paid at the inland ICDs/CFSs immediately after the clearance of LCL cargo by Customs without waiting for actual shipment of cargo from the gateway port. 3.2 Jurisdictional Commissioners shall, by issue of suitable standing order allow the movement of containers/ trucks loaded with LCL cargo from one CFS to another CFS under their jurisdiction so as to have optimum utilization of space in a containers/ truck. They should, however, ensure this facility is not misused and revenue is safeguarded. [Refer Circulars No.55/2000-Cus, dated 30-6-2000 and No.22/2001-Cus, dated 17-42001 and Instruction F.No.450/66/2005-Cus.IV, dated 24-11-2005 ]