Waiver of Demurrage charges levied by Shipping Companies/ICDs/CFSs/Ports/Terminal Operators during the lockdown period - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 15/2020

Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Office of the Commissioner of Customs Custom House, New Harbour Estate Thoothukudi 628004. C. No. VIII/48/3/2020-Cus.Pol. Dated: 24.04.2020 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 15/2020 Sub: Waiver of Demurrage charges levied by Shipping Companies/ICDs/CFSs/Ports/Terminal Operators during the lockdown period - reg. Attention of all members of the trade and Stake holders, Shipping Companies, MLOs, Carriers, CFSs, ICDs, Terminal Operators, Ports, Customs Brokers is invited to (i) Order No.07 of 2020 dated 29.03.2020 (ii) Order No. 08 of 2020 dated 31.3.2020 (iii) Order No.11/2020 dated 22.04.2020 issued by the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai (iv) CBIC Letter F.No.394/46/2020-Cus(AS) dated 23.04.2020 regarding Noncharging of any demurrage, ground rent beyond the allowed free period or any performance related penalty on non-containerized cargo during the period of effect of Covid-19 pandemic. 2. As per the above said Orders, in order to maintain proper supply chain at the Indian seaports, the shipping companies or Carriers (and their agents by whatever name called), Port/Terminal Operators/CFSs/ICDs and other stakeholders are hereby required to comply with the above DGS orders and CBIC directions and therefore not to charge, levy or recover any demurrage, ground rent beyond allowed free period on the import/export containerised/non containerised cargo and also not to charge, levy any ground rent, storage charges in the port, additional anchorage charges, berth hire charges or vessel demurrage or any performance related penalties on cargo owners/consignees of non-containerized cargo (i.e. bulk, brake bulk and liquids cargo) whether LCL or not, for the period from 22nd March, 2020 to 14th April, 2020 (both days inclusive) and from 15th April to 3rd May (both days inclusive), due to delay in evacuation of cargo caused by reasons attributable to lockdown measures since 22nd March 2020. 3. It may also be noted that the above exemption shall be over and above free time arrangement that is currently agreed and availed as part of any negotiated contractual terms. During this period the shipping companies (and their agents), Port/Terminal Operators/CFSs/ICD are also advised not to impose any new or additional charges also. This decision is a onetime measure to factor-in the present situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. 4. Difficulties faced, if any, in implementation of the Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the undersigned. Sd/- (D.ANIL) COMMISSIONER