Implementing Electronic Sealing for Containers by exporters under self-sealing procedure by Circular 26/2017-Cus dated 01-07-2017,36/2017 dated 28-08-2017, 37/2017 dated 20-09-2017,41 dated 30-10-2017 and 44/2017 dated 18-11-2017

Circular No.ES/274/2017-18                                                              December 22, 2017

To: Members of the Council

Sub: Implementing Electronic Sealing for Containers by exporters under self-sealing procedure by Circular 26/2017-Cus dated 01-07-2017,36/2017 dated 28-08-2017, 37/2017 dated 20-09-2017,41 dated 30-10-2017 and 44/2017 dated 18-11-2017

Dear Member,

This is to inform you that the CBEC has issued Circular No.51/2017-Customs dated 21.12.2017 on the above subject.

Board has received representations from members of trade for relaxing the requirement for mandatory e- sealing in view of insufficient stock of e-seals with the empaneled vendors.

In this connection, Board has decided the following:

1.      All entitled exporters who have acquired Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) e-seals and are stuffingcontainers at approved premises for export through Ports / ICDs where facilities for readers are available shall be free to continue / adopt the new e-sealing procedure. Essentially, this implies that the procedure is voluntary till 1st March, 2018.
2.       W.e.f. 01^st March, 2018 the procedure shall become mandatory in respect of the exporters who have been permitted self-sealing facilities under erstwhile procedures and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) exporters or availing supervised stuffing at their premises for the various  locations:

1. JNCH, Nhava Sheva (INNSA1)

2. Chennai Port (INMAA1)

3. Mundra Port (INMUN 1)

4. Hazira Port (INHZA1)

5. Cochin Port (INCOK1)

6. Kattupalli, Port (INKAT 1)

7. Kolkata Port (INCCU1)

8. ICD Tughlakabad (INTKD6)

9. Tuticorin Port (INTUT1)

10. Pipavav Port (INPAV1)

11.Vishakhapatnam Port (INVTZ1)

12.Krishnapatnam Port (INKRI1)

13.ICD  Bangalore (INWFD6)

14.ICD Tirupur (INCHE6)

15.ICD Ludhiana (INLDH6)

3.      E- sealing procedure for all Ports/ ICDs other than above 15 locations will be mandatory w.e.f. 01^st Aril, 2018.

Those exporters who have already switched to e- sealing procedure may continue with new procedure and exporters who intend to voluntarily adopt new e-sealing procedure are free to do so, if the readers are in place at the Customs Station of export.  Exporters already availing stuffing under officer supervision shall continue to enjoy the facility till the date e-sealing becomes mandatory at the port/ ICD from where they are exporting containers.

Members are requested to make note of the above.

Thanking You,

Yours faithfully,

S. BALARAJU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR