The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council

Guidelines on safety and security of premises where imported or export goods are loaded, unloaded or stored

Circular No.ES/ 81/2016-17                                                                                    August 31, 2016

To:      Members of the Council

Sub: Guidelines on safety and security of premises where imported or export goods are loaded, unloaded or stored.

Dear Member,

This is to inform you that the Office of the Central Board of Excise and Customs has issued Circular No. 40/ 2016- Customs dated 26th August, 2016 on the above subject.

CBEC’ Circular No.4/2011-Customs dated 10.1.2011, prescribed comprehensive guidelines on safety and security of premises where imported or export goods are loaded, unloaded, handled or stored. It has been specifically provided that imported goods or export goods which are hazardous in nature shall be stored at the approved premises of the customs cargo service provider (CCSP) in an isolated place duly separated from other general cargo, depending upon classification of its hazardous nature such as explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, poisonous and infectious substances, radioactive material or any hazardous chemicals defined under respective rules.

It is further provided that the space allocated for storage of hazardous cargo within the notified premises should be of proper construction including appropriate heat or fire resistant walls, RCC roofing, flooring. Such area shall be situated at a minimum distance of 200 metres away from main office, administrative, customs office building so that the storage of hazardous cargo is in such a manner that it does not endanger the people working in the premises.

CBEC has issued revised guidelines. The guidelines in so far as prescribing the distance to be maintained between hazardous cargo including explosives and general cargo or administrative building in a Customs area would be as follows:

  1. Among the various hazardous goods imported or exported, explosives have to be considered separately in view of the severity of hazard, safety procedure and skill etc. required in their handling and storage.
  2. The safe distances between buildings and hazardous cargoes other than explosives varies from 3 meters to 30 meters, in various rules and practices, in other parts outside the country. In order to have uniformity, the distance of 30 meters is prescribed to be maintained between hazardous cargo (other than explosives) and administrative buildings. However, the distance of 200 meter as mentioned in CBEC Circular No.  4/2011  would be observed between the hazardous cargo (explosive in nature) and the administrative buildings. The distance to be maintained between hazardous cargo and general cargo would be as prescribed in IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) Code for storage in port areas.
  3. The safe distance for storing hazardous goods including explosives on land i.e Container Depot, CCSP area. Customs notified area etc. (other than port area) for which specific rules exists shall be guided by said rules i.e Gas Cylinder Rules, 2004; the Explosive Rules, 2008; Petroleum Rules, 2002; Static and Mobile Pressure Rules, 1981 etc., as applicable.
  4. In case of anomaly, between port rules and respective specific rules governing storage of a particular hazardous good, the provision of specific rules shall override the port rules.

Members are requested to make note of the above.

Thanking you,

 

V.ANIL KUMAR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR