Change in assessment procedure of Bills of Entry filed by 'First Time Importers'-Implementation of trade facilitation measures-reg. - Customs - 06/2016-17

OFFICE OF THE PR. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (IMPORT) MUMBAI ZONE-III, PRO CELL, AIR CARGO COMPLEX SAHAR, ANDHERI (EAST), MUMBAI-400099 F. No. S/3-MlSC-PRO-133/2015-16 ACC(I) Date : 16/02/2017 Public Notice No. 06/2016-17 SUB: Change in assessment procedure of Bills of Entry filed by 'First Time Importers' - Implementation of trade facilitation measures - reg. Dwell Time study of past few months has revealed that there is considerable increase in dwell time at ACC, Sahar, especially at the stage of 'Filing to Assessment of B/E. Further, representations were also received by this office from trade regarding increase in dwell time. The matter was examined and it was observed that one of the major reasons for increase in dwell time was the prolonged time taken in assessment of Bills of Entry (Bs/E) filed by first time importers. Analysis of Bs/E revealed that the number of aforesaid types of Bs/E at ACC, Sahar is quite high. 2. In view of the above, to streamline the assessment process and to reduce the dwell time, it is brought to the kind attention of ali Importers, Customs Brokers, Members of Trade and Industry Associations, Customs Officers and others, that following procedure has been devised for assessment of Bs/E filed by first time importers. 3. To look into the aspect of the genuineness of the importer and to curb imports by fake/dummy importers, first time importers are required to submit certain documents to the concerned Group Assessing Officer in terms of this office Public Notice No.21/2010 dated 21/05/2010 (as amended vide Public Notice No. 10/2014 dated 31/07/2014 and No. 04/2015 dated 06/02/2015). For Bs/E filed by first time importers, an alert regarding the same appears in RMS and accordingly, concerned Group Assessing Officers are raising query to the importer to submit the requisite documents. 4. It has been observed that Importers/Custom Brokers are not forthcoming in readily submitting al! the prescribed documents to the concerned Assessing Officer, thus, delaying the assessment of Bs/E. Even scrutiny at the level of Group AO DC/AC is also taking much time. 5. In view of the above, it has been decided that henceforth, the aforesaid prescribed documents would be required to be submitted by the importers/Custom Brokers to the concerned Group Assessing Officer, at any time before grant of 'Out of Charge' by the Import Shed Officer. The Group Assessing Officer will assess all such Bs/E without waiting for submission of prescribed documents and in all cases, where the prescribed documents have not been submitted, will put an additional instruction in his/her 'Examination Order' to the Import Shed Officer to verify NOC from Assessing Group regarding acceptance of prescribed documents for first time importers. The Import Shed Officer will not grant 'Out of Charge' to the B/E, in any event, unless and until, the said NOC has been received from the Assessing Group. 6. Further, as a Trade Facilitation Measure, the first time importers are also being given an option of getting their requisite documents scrutinized even before filing their B/E. Such importers can submit the aforesaid prescribed documents even before filing their B/E to the concerned Assessment Group to which their goods will majorly pertain. The Group shall scrutinize the documents regarding successful completion of scrutiny. It is seen that as per Public Notice No.21/2010 dated 21/05/2010, one of the prescribed documents for first time importers is Proof of payment/remittance through the importer's account'. This document may or may not be available with the importers before filing their B/E. It has been decided that, if the above document is not available with the importers before filing their B/E, they can still get the scrutiny done of their remaining documents by the Assessment Group. In such cases, the concerned Assessment Group, while taking the cognizance of the said shortcoming, will follow the further procedure as elucidated for importers approaching the Group after filing their B/E. 7. In respect of RMS facilitated Bs/E, the prescribed documents shall be submitted to the Shed Officer who has to grant Out Of Charge. 8. All the Importers/Custom Brokers (CB) are requested to play a positive role in this regard and ensure prompt submission of requisite documents to the concerned Assessment Group for getting Group NOC. 9. Difficulties, if any, faced in the implementation of this Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the undersigned. This issues with the approval of the Principal Commissioner of Customs (Import), ACC, Mumbai. (DR. SATISH S. DHAVALE) Addl. Commissioner of Customs (Import) Air Cargo Complex, Sahar, Mumbai