CBIC Enables Customs Clearances Beyond Normal Working Hours In Inland Container Depots

As a measure of trade facilitation and convenience of doing business, the CBIC has enabled 24x7 customs clearance at several maritime ports and air cargo complexes around the country. This service is now accessible at 20 seaports and 17 airports.

The Board has received requests from the trade to extend the facility of 24x7 customs clearance to ICDs around the nation in order to meet the needs of the trade. The situation has been thoroughly examined.

The trade requirements and local circumstances differ from place to place. The Board advised all Pr. Chief/Chief Commissioners with jurisdiction over Inland Container Depots (ICDs) to consider designating the ICDs within their jurisdictions with extended Customs clearance beyond normal working hours in any of three ways.

Firstly, the facility of customs clearance may be made available on a 24x7 basis, similar to the current Board guidelines for seaports and air cargo/airports.

Second, customs clearance may be made available on all seven (7) days of the week (including holidays), with specific hours (for example, from 9: 30 AM to 6:00 PM).

Finally, customs clearance may be extended beyond normal working hours on specified days of the week and at specified times.

The decision to designate an ICD in any manner is based on location requirements and resource availability. It could be for specified imports, viz., goods covered by 'facilitated' Bills of Entry only. It could also be for specified exports, viz. containers with perishable or temperature-sensitive export goods sealed in the presence of customs officials only. It could also be for goods exported under free shipping bills only.

"The various relevant aspects should be considered, which include requests from the trade associations; volume of regular imports and exports, nature of import/export commodities; participation of other agencies or entities concerned or involved; importers-exporters; customs brokers. Consultation with custodians can be made in relation to arrangements to be made by them for such purposes. If the ICD is not working with a waiver of cost recovery charges, it must agree on the aspect of cost recovery charges as well in a proper manner," the circular read.

"Once a decision to designate an ICD with a facility for extended customs clearances as above is made, the Zone must ensure adequate resources to provide the extended facility. Such a decision must also be publicised through the issuance of holistic public notices and appropriate standing orders. The Board is to be informed via email at uscus4.dor@gov.in," the circular added.

Circular No.11/2022-Customs

Dated: 29.07.2022

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