The Office of the Commissioner of Customs (NS-III) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH) has issued a public notice, highlighting instances of pilferage from containers marked as suspicious by Container Scanning Division (CSD) officers. To combat this issue, a new procedure has been introduced, effective from 1st August 2023, mandating the sealing of such containers with customs seals after scanning. This article provides an overview and analysis of the new sealing procedure and its significance in preventing cargo tampering.
Analysis: The public notice issued by the Commissioner of Customs (NS-III) addresses the growing concern of pilferage, removal, or replacement of goods from containers marked as suspicious during transportation from scanning points to Container Freight Stations (CFSs). This issue poses a significant risk to the integrity of customs processes and trade security.
As a preventive measure, the notice states that all containers flagged as suspicious after scanning by CSD officers will be sealed with customs seals before leaving their respective scanning points. The procedure outlines specific guidelines for CSD officers to ensure proper sealing, especially in cases of ISO tanks, where customs bottle seals cannot be affixed, necessitating the use of strip seals or punch seals.
To implement the new measure effectively, the notice establishes a communication protocol between CSD officers and concerned Customs House Agents (CHAs), Importers, Shipping Lines, and relevant stakeholders. In situations where a container is already sealed with private/commercial seals and there is no space for a customs bottle seal, the CSD officer will cut one of the private/commercial seals. The concerned parties will be informed, and their presence during seal cutting will be requested, providing transparency in the process.
Additionally, the notice emphasizes record-keeping, with respective CFSs required to maintain entry time records for containers marked as suspicious. The Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) will verify these records and track container movements through the Logistics Data Bank website to identify any unusual movement or delays. In case of discrepancies, the concerned CHAs/Importers/Shipping Lines will be asked to provide explanations, failing which detailed investigations will be initiated.
Conclusion: The introduction of the new procedure for sealing suspicious containers with customs seals is a significant step by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs (NS-III) at JNCH. By proactively addressing pilferage concerns and promoting accountability among stakeholders, this measure aims to enhance the security and integrity of cargo transportation. It ensures that containers identified as suspicious during scanning are protected from tampering throughout their journey, thereby bolstering customs operations and facilitating secure international trade.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (NS-III)
CONTAINER SCANNING DIVISION,
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE,
TAL. URAN, DIST. RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA-400707
F. NO. S/V–30/MISC-122/2010 CSD JNCH
Standing Order No. 15/2023 – JNCH Date: 28.07.2023
Subject: Procedure for Sealing of Containers Marked as Suspicious Consequent upon Scanning with Customs Seal-reg.
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It is brought to the notice of the Importers, General Trade, Port Terminal Operators, Transporters, Shipping Lines/Shipping Agents, CFSs under the jurisdiction of JNCH, Nhava Sheva and all other stakeholders that instances of pilferage/removal/replacement of goods from containers (especially marked as suspicious by CSD officers) en route to CFS from respective scanning points (DTCS or MXCS) have been brought to the knowledge of this office. Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is brought to the notice of all the concerned that with effect from 01.08.2023 all the containers marked as suspicious consequent upon scanning by CSD officers shall be sealed with Customs Seal before allowing these containers to leave the respective scanning points .
2. Detailed procedure for implementation of the aforesaid measure shall be as under:
2.1 CSD officer posted at out gate of the respective scanner shall ensure the sealing of container marked as suspicious consequent upon scanning with customs seal (customs bottle seal shall be affixed on the right door of the container or at such places so that container cannot be opened without cutting the customs bottle seal) before allowing the container to move out of the scanning premises/points. In case of ISO tanks which have been marked suspicious consequent upon scanning, shall be sealed with strip seals/punch seals as the customs bottle seals cannot be affixed in ISO tanks.
2.2 If all the points of the containers or ISO tanks are already sealed with private/commercial seal and there is no place left in the container to affix the customs bottle seal/strip seal/punch seal, concerned CSD Officer shall cut one of the private/commercial seals and affix the customs bottle seal/strip seal/punch seal in place of the same. However, before cutting the private/commercial seal, CSD Officer will inform the concerned CHA/Importer/Shipping Line through the driver/transporter of vehicle carrying the container about the seal cutting and will ask for presence of their representative at the time of seal cutting. The concerned CHAs/Importers/ Shipping Lines/Agents are required to convey their confirmation to the concerned CSD officer through letter/mail whether they want to remain present at the time of seal cutting or they have no objection if the same is cut in their absence.
2.3 CSD officer shall mention the time as well as customs bottle seal/strip seal/punch seal number on the EIR copy while endorsing the result of scanning on it.
2.4 Respective CFS shall either manually or digitally maintain records of entry time of all such containers which have been marked as suspicious by the CSD Officers and shall also provide such report to the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) on daily basis.
2.5 Respective Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) shall verify the time mentioned in the EIR copy with the records maintained by CFS regarding entry time of a particular container which has been marked as suspicious by the CSD officers. Respective Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) shall also track the movement of the container through the website of Logistics Data Bank i.e. ldb.co.in. While tracking/verifying/examining the movement as well as time taken by a particular container marked as suspicious to reach the destined CFS, if respective Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) notices any conspicuous/unusual movement or time difference, he/she shall ask the concerned CHA/Importer/Shipping Line for explanation/ reason for such unusual movement of container and delay in reaching the container to destined CFS from respective scanning point.
2.6 If the concerned CHA/Importer/Shipping Line fails to provide the plausible reason for such unusual movement or delay, respective Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) shall refer the matter to SIIB (Import) for detailed investigation of the issue.
3. In case of any difficulty, the specific issue may be brought to the notice of ADC/JC, NS-III (email address: csd.jnch@gov.in).
(D. S. GARBYAL)
Commissioner of Customs,
NS-III, JNCH.
Copy to:
1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone-II, JNCH, for information.
2. The Additional Director General, National Customs Targeting Centre, Risk Management Division, New Marine Lines, Mumbai.
3. The Commissioner of Customs, NS-G/NS-I/NS-II/NS-III/NS-IV/NS-V, JNCH/ ICDs.
4. The Joint / Additional Commissioner of Customs, CSD, JNCH / AFTWZ/ ICDs.
5. The DC/AC, CSD, JNCH / AFTWZ/ ICDs
6. CSLA/ MANSA/CFSAI/Terminal Operators/ BCBA / FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organizations)/IMC (shipping and logistics committee) for information.
7. AC/DC-EDI for uploading on JNCH website.
8. All ICD’s through email.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (NS-III)
CONTAINER SCANNING DIVISION,
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE,
TAL. URAN, DIST. RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA-400707
F. NO. S/V-30/MISC-122/2010 CSD JNCH
Public Notice No. 61/2023 Date: 28.07.2023
Subject: Procedure for Sealing of Containers Marked as Suspicious Consequent upon Scanning with Customs Seal-reg.
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It is brought to the notice of the Importers, General Trade, Port Terminal Operators, Transporters, Shipping Lines/Shipping Agents, CFSs under the jurisdiction of JNCH, Nhava Sheva and all other stakeholders that instances of pilferage/removal/replacement of goods from containers (especially marked as suspicious by CSD Officers) en route to CFS from respective scanning points (DTCS or MXCS) have been brought to the knowledge of this office. Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is brought to the notice of all the concerned that with effect from 01.08.2023 all the containers marked as suspicious consequent upon scanning by CSD officers shall be sealed with Customs Seal before allowing these containers to leave their respective scanning points .
2. The detailed procedure for implementation of the aforesaid measure shall be as under:
2.1 CSD Officer posted at out gate of the respective scanner shall ensure the sealing of container marked as suspicious with customs seal (customs bottle seal shall be affixed on the right door of the container or at such places so that container cannot be opened without cutting the customs bottle seal) consequent upon scanning, before allowing the container to move out of the scanning premises/points. In case of ISO tanks which have been marked suspicious consequent upon scanning, shall be sealed with strip seals/punch seals as the customs bottle seals cannot be affixed in ISO tanks.
2.2 If all the points of a particular container or ISO tank are already sealed with private/commercial seal and there is no place left in the container or ISO tank to affix the customs bottle seal/strip seal/punch seal, concerned CSD Officer shall cut one of the private/commercial seals and affix the customs bottle seal/strip seal/punch seal in place of the same. However, before cutting the private/commercial seal, CSD Officer will inform the concerned CHAs/Importers/Shipping Lines through the driver/transporter of vehicle carrying the container about the seal cutting and will ask for presence of their representative at the time of seal cutting. The concerned CHAs/Importers/Shipping Lines are required to convey their confirmation to the concerned CSD officer through letter/mail whether they want to remain present at the time of seal cutting or they have no objection if the same is cut in their absence.
2.3 CSD officer shall mention the time as well as customs bottle seal/ strip seal/punch seal number on the EIR as customs while endorsing the result of scanning on it.
2.4 Respective CFS shall either manually or digitally maintain records of entry time of all such containers which have been marked as suspicious by the CSD officers and shall also provide such report to the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (Docks) on daily basis.
3. In case of any difficulty, the specific issue may be brought to the notice of ADC/JC, NS-III (email address: csd.jnch@gov.in).
(DS. GARBYAL)
Commissioner of Customs,
NS-III, JNCH.
Copy to:
1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone-II, JNCH, for information.
2. The Additional Director General, National Customs Targeting Centre, Risk Management Division, New Marine Lines, Mumbai.
3. The Commissioner of Customs, NS-G/NS-I/NS-II/NS-III/NS-IV/NS-V, JNCH/ ICDs.
4. The Joint / Additional Commissioner of Customs, CSD, JNCH / AFTWZ/ ICDs.
5. The DC/AC, CSD, JNCH / AFTWZ/ ICDs
6. CSLA/MANSA/ CFSAI/Terminal Operators/ BCBA / FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organizations)/IMC (shipping and logistics committee) for information.
7. AC/DC-EDI for uploading on JNCH website.
8. All ICD’s through email.
(D. S. G YAL)
Commissioner of Customs,
NS-III, JNCH.
