COVID- 19 Pandemic- Waiver of Demurrage Charges levied by Terminal Operators / Ports/ CFSs/ ICDs during lockdown- Ministry of Shipping Order No. IDD-14033/4/2020-PD dated 21.04.2020 - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 09/2020

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CENTRAL BOARD OF INDIRECT TAXES AND CUSTOMS OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE, WILLINGDON ISLAND, COCHIN-682009 F.No.C1/01/2020- TU. cus. Dated: 24.04.2020 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 09/2020 Subject: COVID- 19 Pandemic- Waiver of Demurrage Charges levied by Terminal Operators / Ports/ CFSs/ ICDs during lockdown- Ministry of Shipping Order No. IDD-14033/4/2020-PD dated 21.04.2020- reg. Kind attention is invited to the Order No. PD-14033/4/2020-PD dated 21.04.2020 issued by Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, contents of which were re-iterated by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes Customs vide letter F.No.394 (45/2020-Cus (AS) dated 23.04.2020 (copies enclosed) 2. In continuation to the Advisory no. 01/2020 dated issued by this office, it is brought to notice that Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, which had issued Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 24.03.2020, issued further Order dated 15.04.2020 extending the lockdown till 03.05.2020 to contain COVID-19 pandemic in the country. 3. On account of the said lockdown measures, the logistics chain of businesses has been most adversely affected. The chain includes the activities of all stakeholders (Importers, Exporters, Customs Brokers, Transporters, Labour etc.) dealing with the clearance of cargo from Customs facilities viz. Port, ICDs and CFSs. As a result, importers are not able to clear the import consignments for the reasons that are beyond their control. In the circumstance, numerous importers and trade associations have requested for the wavier of penal charges, which are collected by the custodians on the imported goods lying at various ports, ICDs and CFSs beyond the normal free period. 4. In the above context, Director General of Shipping, M/ o Shipping vide Order No. 7/2020 dated advised the Indian seaports, carriers and Shipping Lines not to impose any container detention charges on import and export shipments for the lockdown period. Vide DGS Order No.8/2020 dated 31.03.2020, it was advised not to charge, levy or recover any demurrage or ground rent, beyond allowed free period etc. for non-containerised cargo for the lock down period due to delay in evacuation of cargo caused by reasons attributable to lockdown measures. Further, Ministry of Shipping has, again in Its Order No. PD-14033/4/2020-PD dated 21.04.2020 (copy enclosed) which supersedes its Order No. 8/2020 dated 31.03.2020, directed, inter alia, that no penal charges, demurrages, detention charges, dwell time charges, etc. shall be levied and Ports shall ensure strict implementation by port users including ICDs, CFS, Shipping Lines etc. 5. Accordingly, the aforementioned Orders issued by the Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping are brought to your attention for strict compliance. (MOHD.YOUSAF) Commissioner of Customs