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Open House Meeting held on 12-04-2004
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OFFICE
OF THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS
MINUTES OF THE OPEN HOUSE MEETING OF THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, MUMBAI ZONE I, II & III HELD WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE AND INSUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ON 12TH APRIL 2004 AT 3.30 P.M. IN THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE MUMBAI CUSTOM HOUSE. The Open House Meeting for this month was held under
Shri K.M. Tiwari, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone-I, Shri Joseph
Dominic, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone II on 12.4.2004, in
the Conference Hall, 2nd floor, New Custom House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai
- 1. 3) B.C.C.I. (The Bombay Chamber of Commerce
& Industries) 4) BCHAA (Bombay Custom House Agent's
Association). 5) D.M.A.I. (The Dyestuff Manufacturers'
Association of India) 6) FIEO 7) Indian Merchant Chamber 8) MANSA (Mumbai & Nhava Sheva Ship
Agents Association) 9) TATA GROUP 2. The Chief Commissioners of Customs, welcomed all the Members
of the Trade, Industry and CHAs Association and the officers present in
the meeting. 3.1 The Chief Commissioners of Customs also expressed satisfaction that the Trade had been favourably patronising the Mumbai Customs Zone for clearance of their cargo and payment of Customs duty, so as to meet the Budget Estimate fixed for the Mumbai Customs Zones. 3.2 The Chief Commissioners of Customs further told the Representatives of the Trade present that instructions had been issued that all the pending dues payable to the Trade should be expeditiously settled during April, 2004, as a special drive. Accordingly, cases of pending Drawback, Refunds are being finalised and such cases may also be taken up by the Trade with the concerned Commissioners/Addl. Commissioners/Dy. Commissioners of Customs suitably. 3.3 Shri K.M. Tiwari, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai-I further told the Representatives of the Trade present that in Mumbai Custom House, the Drawback Scroll was earlier being released on a Weekly Basis. In an effort to release the Drawback Scroll on a daily basis, the first step to release the Drawback Scroll on Alternate Days has been initiated in the Mumbai Custom House. Further progress in this regard will be closely monitored. The Trade was requested to inform their response to the newly introduced facility. 3.4 Shri Joseph Dominic, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai-II told the Representatives of the Trade present that the issue of Drawback Scroll on a Daily Basis in Jawahar Custom House, was also being considered and efforts in this direction would be made by the Commissioner of Customs (EP), J.C.H.. 3.5 The Chief Commissioner also informed that in order to implement the decisions taken in the Open House Meetings, the concerned Commissioners of Customs would be required to issue appropriate Standing Orders/Public Notice to enable speedy implementation of the decisions recorded in the minutes of the Open House Meetings. If any specific issue has not been addressed by the Commissioners of Customs, by issue of S.O./P.N., the fact may be brought to the notice of concerned Commissioner of Customs, for appropriate action. 3.6 The Chief Commissioner also stressed the need for sponsoring points having general difficulties to streamline the procedures and facilitate Trade activities. While these points are sponsored for discussion, efforts should be made by the Sponsoring Associations to submit a Comprehensive Note including copies of the Instructions etc. and may also circulate such points amongst other Associations, so that the procedural remedies / grievances could be fully addressed by active discussions by all the Representative present without delays in a comprehensive and exhaustive manner 4. The Chief Commissioner of Customs once again informed the Member of the Trade present that adequate number of general points of interest for the Trade should be brought up for inclusion in the Agenda for discussion. 4.1 The following two points which had been received for discussion as Agenda Points, were taken up. 4.1.1. The acceptance of ‘Counter Receipt for Export Shipment’ was discussed in the meeting with DGFT and it was understood that there was no problem in accepting counter receipt for allowing export shipments. 4.2 It was informed that on the basis of Machine Number generated prior to the issue of File no. The S/Bill could be filed. The Exporters may try filing the Shipping Bills in this regards. In case any difficulties are experienced, same may be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs (EP) at the Port, so that further remedial steps could be taken up. 4.3 With regard to levy of Anti-Dumping Duty, a reference was drawn to the letter of The Joint Secretary (TRU), CBEC, New Delhi and its implementation was requested. 4.3.1 It was informed that Provisional Bond and release of goods in such specific cases may be brought to the notice of the Addl. Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs, for discussion. These cases would be re-examined by the Commissioner of Customs. 5. Certain points which were not taken as Agenda Points and brought up in the Meeting were taken up for discussion. 5.1 To finalise the pending Provisional Assessment cases for Refunds, Drawback etc. and for Re-construction of the Bills of Entry, a Note was given by the Representatives of ASSOCHAM / TATA Group (copy enclosed). The same would be taken up for appropriate study by the Commissioner of Customs and submission of their views to the Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai – I. Thereafter instructions would be issued, if the procedure is found feasible. (Action by : Commissioners) 5.2 The Factory stuffed containers are being carted into
Frere Basin in the Mumbai Port and at the time of entry of the Container
in the Port, The Preventive Officer verifies the Seal Nos. and Container
Nos. from the documents. These are further subject to verification at
the time of grant of ‘Let Export Order’. This cause avoidable
delays and double checking of the Seal nos. and Container Nos. for a specific
S/Bill at the time of ‘Let Export Order’. 5.3 With regard to the Revised Instructions for Import General Manifest, a Fresh Guarantee by the Steamer Agents is to be executed and waiver of Revenue Deposit is desirable, as such Revenue Deposit has already been made. As at present, Revenue Deposit of Rs. 15,000/- is being given alongwith each Bond executed by the Steamer Agent. It was suggested that the revised Bond to be executed should adjust the Revenue Deposit already paid by the Agents alongwith the earlier Executed Bond. 5.3.1 It was informed that a draft Public Notice is under consideration and the Officers of the Directorate of Systems would also be examining it, so as to finalise the modalities for Registration No. etc.. It was informed that the issue of Revenue Deposit/Bank Guarantee should also be taken up by the Representative with the Officers of the Directorate of Systems for a decision. 5.4 There are avoidable delays in generating Port Clearance for vessels. 5.4.1 It was informed that the Port Clearance would be generated without delays. In case of any specific delays, details should be informed to the concerned Addl. Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs, for immediate remedial action, both in procedures / specific cases. 5.5 With regard to Packing Materials for imports, the requirement of Fumigation and Phytosanitary Certificate is being endorsed. It was suggested that the Fumigation and Phytosanitary Certificate issued at the load Port should be accepted and if the documents are not available, the importer should be permitted to get fumigation done locally before clearance. 5.5.1 It was informed that MANSA, BCHAA and other Associations may suitably take up the matter with the concerned Enforcement Agencies and a copy of their representation may be endorsed to Customs, so that Customs could suitably recommend so as to avoid duplication of work and enable speedy clearance of import cargo. 6. The Chief Commissioners of Customs thanked all the Members present. 7. The next meeting will be held on Monday 10th May 2004 at. 15.30 hrs.. The points sponsored for discussion for the next meeting should reach latest by 30.4.2004 in the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zones I, II and III. Copy to : 1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone II and
III Copy for information and wide circulation to : |
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