TMI BlogRegarding implementation of ‘Self-Assessment’ in CustomsX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... The Finance Bill, 2011 stipulates Self-Assessment of Customs duty in respect of imported and export goods by the importer or exporter, as the case may be. This means that while the responsibility for assessment would be shifted to the importer / exporter, the Customs officers would have the power to verify such assessments and make re-assessment, where warranted. The proposed changes shall become effective immediately from the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2011. It is, therefore, necessary that the new legislative provisions are carefully studied and applied correctly to ensure that there is no disruption in the assessment work, and clearance of imported and export goods continues smoothly. 2. New Sectio ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ll of Entry is allowed only in genuine and deserving cases. Similarly, on export side also, Section 50 of the Customs Act, 1962 makes it obligatory for exporters to make entry of export goods by presenting a Shipping Bill electronically to the proper officer except for the cases where it is not found feasible to make such entry electronically. The Commissioner concerned in these cases may allow manual filing of Shipping Bill. Again, this authority should be exercised cautiously and only in genuine cases. 4. Under the new scheme of self-assessment, the Bill of Entry or Shipping Bill that is self-assessed by importer or exporter, as the case may be, may be subject to verification with regard to correctness of classification, v ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ormation, and the goods can not be re-assessed quickly but are required to be cleared by the importer or exporter on urgent basis. In such cases, provisional assessment may be done in terms of Section 18 of the Customs Act, 1962 , once the importer or exporter furnishes security as deemed fit by the proper officer of Customs for differential duty equal to duty provisionally assessed by him and the duty payable after re-assessment. 5. One of the salient features of self-assessment scheme is that verification of declarations and assessment done by the importer or exporter, except for cases wherein a speaking order has been passed by the proper officer while re-assessing the duty, can also be done at the premises of the importer o ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... d file the Bill of Entry. It should however be made clear that such guidance is not legally binding. 7. Hence, in both the cases where no self-assessment is done and when self-assessment is done and reassessment is required under Section 17, the importer or exporter can opt for provisional assessment of duty by the proper officer of Customs. The difference is that when no self-assessment is done, the provisional assessment shall get converted into final assessment and when self-assessment is done, the provisional assessment shall get converted into re-assessment. Consequential changes are being made in the Customs (Provisional Duty Assessment) Regulations, 1963. 8. Bill of Entry (Electronic Declaration) Regulations, ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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