Circular No.ES/36/2020-21 9th April, 2020
To: Members of the Council
Sub: Speedy Clearance of consignments/cargo pending for clearance at Mumbai Port and ICD Mulund during the outbreak of COVID-19
Dear Member,
Mumbai Customs has issued Public Notice No. 22/2020 dated 5th April, 2020 on the above issue.
It has been observed by the Empowered Group of Officers (Logistics and Supply chain), CBIC that during the outbreak of COVID-19, there is voluminous congestion at seaports and airports. One of the major reasons for this congestion is non-clearance of consignments by importers either due to closure of factories or non-availability of warehouses, or due to logistics issues, etc.
As per advisory issued vide D.O. letter no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 3.4.2020 by Home Secretary, Government of India, the following clarifications have been issued:
State governments to authorize companies/organizations with nationwide supply chains of essential goods to issue regional passes for critical staff
Railways, Ports and Airports are allowed to issue passes for their critical staff and contractual laborers
Facilitation of movement of driver and one person between residence and truck
All truck drivers (plus one staff on each truck) are allowed inter-state and intra-state with a valid driver’s license
Following Public Notices have been issued for Trade facilitation during the Outbreak of COVID-19:
a) Public Notice No. 20/2020 dated 30.03.2020 wherein the following 2 Officers have been nominated as Nodal Officers for any difficulty which is being faced by the Trade Members/Importers/Exporters/Customs Brokers:
Shri Rajesh Munde, DC/Docks: rajesh.munde@icegate.gov.in (9975243550)
Shri A. K. Sasmal, AC/ICD Mulund: arun.sasmal@icegate.gov.in (9820950885)
(b) Public Notice No. 21/2020 dated 03.04.2020 wherein the submission of notarized Bond has been replaced with an undertaking as per CBIC Board Circular No.17/2020-Customs dated 03.04.2020.
Also, Shri Ayaz Ahmed Kohli, Additional Commissioner of Customs has been appointed as Nodal Officer for Mumbai Customs Zone-I by CBIC who can be contacted on ayaz.kohli@gov.in / 9582035016.
Please be informed of the following -
In order to avoid any congestion at Mumbai Sea Port and ICD Mulund and to ensure that the domestic supply chains for goods remain active, the trade is advised to take recourse to the procedure specified above for the movement of persons and transport and ensure timely clearance/ evacuation of imported cargo from ports.
A list of cases where Bills of Entry have not been filed even though the permitted time period has lapsed, cases where registration has not been completed or duty has not been paid even though Bills of Entry have been assessed is being published separately on the website of Mumbai Customs Zone I.
Customs Brokers handling these cases are requested to ensure that the requisite formalities are completed soon and difficulties, if any, are brought to the notice of the Nodal Officer.
In case of any difficulty, members may kindly contact the Nodal Officers, ADC/JC, Import-I & II, NCH, Mumbai or ADC/JC, ICD, Mulund.
Members may kindly make a note of the above details.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
S.BALARAJU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
