Regularization of Bills of Entry and Waiver of Interest in Indian Customs

Contents
Notifications
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Circular No. PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 63 / 2023 - Dated: 30-7-2023 - Advisory for operationalisation of the Customs (Waiver of Interest) Third Order, 2023 dated April 17, 2023 and the consequential regularisation of electronic Bills of Entry in case of manual Out of Charge (OOC) given in the wake of glitches in the implementation of ECL facility since April 01, 2023-reg

Introduction

The Public Notice No. 63/2023 and DG Systems Advisory dated 27-07-2023, issued by the Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs, Jawahar Lal Nehru Custom House, dated 30th July 2023, addresses critical changes in the operational procedures of the Customs department in India. This notice revolves around the regularization of electronic Bills of Entry and the waiver of interest following the introduction and stabilization of the Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL) system.

Key Issues and Provisions

Implementation of Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL): The ECL was introduced as per Board Circular 9/2023, dated 30th March 2023, under the Customs (Electronic Cash Ledger) Regulations 2022. It necessitates importers, exporters, or anyone liable to pay duty fees to make non-interest-bearing deposits with the government for payment purposes.
Challenges in ECL Functionality: Post-implementation, grievances were reported regarding the non-reflection of duty payments in the ICES system, leading to the adoption of a manual Out of Charge (OOC) process until ECL's integration with ICES, ICEGATE, and banks.
Stabilization and Operationalization of ECL: With the stabilization of the ECL system, the Customs (Waiver of Interest) Third Order 2023, dated 17th April 2023, has been operationalized to regularize Bills of Entry for which manual OOC was issued.
Procedure for Regularization: The notice outlines a procedure for stakeholders to regularize Bills of Entry. It includes selecting unpaid challans, paying duty (including interest) within a specified timeframe, and integrating these payments into the Customs system. Subsequently, the Bills of Entry will be regularized by marking them 'Out of Charge'.
Provision for Interest Waiver and Refund: A notable feature is the provision for refunding interest amounts paid, conditional on adhering to the specified payment deadlines.

Impact and Implications

The introduction of ECL and the subsequent regulations significantly impact the operational dynamics of India's customs processes. These changes aim to streamline and digitize the customs duty payment process, enhancing efficiency and transparency. However, the transition phase has presented challenges, particularly regarding the integration of payments and system glitches.

The regularization procedures and the waiver of interest orders are crucial steps in addressing these challenges. They not only provide a framework for resolving pending cases but also establish a precedent for handling similar issues in the future.

Conclusion

The Public Notice No. 63/2023 and and DG Systems Advisory dated 27-07-2023 reflects a significant shift towards digitalization in Indian Customs, emphasizing the government's commitment to modernizing trade facilitation measures. While the transition to the ECL system has been challenging, the measures outlined in the notice are expected to alleviate these issues and streamline the customs process for stakeholders. This move towards a more efficient and transparent system is a welcome development in India's trade and customs administration.

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Dated: 16-1-2024