Mandatory Additional Qualifiers in Steel Import/Export Declarations- Reg.

Ministry of Finance, in consultation with the Ministry of Steel, has proposed making additional identifiers mandatory for import and export declarations of certain steel products under Chapter 72 of the Customs Tariff, effective from 01.09.2024. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of assessments, avoid queries, reduce delays, and aid in policy formulation by ensuring more complete import declarations. Stakeholders are invited to provide suggestions on the draft Circular with Annexure by 30.07.2024, through the provided email addresses. This decision follows Circular 55/2020-Customs, which encouraged the voluntary declaration of complete descriptions and additional qualifiers for imported items to improve assessment efficiency.

NOTICE

Notice calling suggestions from trade on “Mandatory additional qualifiers in the import/export declarations in respect of certain steel products”

For the purpose of effective avoidance of queries, enhancing efficiency in assessment and facilitation, addressing reasons for delays and aiding policy formulation through a mechanism of more complete import declarations, it has been decided in consultation with the Ministry of Steel to make certain additional identifiers mandatory for imports and exports under chapter 72 of the Customs Tariff, with effect from 01.09.2024 In this regard, a draft Circular with Annexure is attached.

2. Stakeholders are invited to provide their suggestions on improvements, if any, to the enclosed Draft Circular with Annexure at the email id tariffunit- rev@nic.in and endorsed to dircus@nic.in by 30.07.2024

Circular No.   /2024-Customs

F. No. -STO(TU)

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
*****

North Block, New Delhi
Date: , 2024

To,

All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central tax,
All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Director Generals/ Director Generals under CBIC.

Madam/Sir,

Subject: Mandatory additional qualifiers in import/export declarations in respect of certain steel products -reg

Reference is invited to the Circular 55/2020-Customs dated 17.12.2020 wherein, importers were advised to voluntarily declare the complete description of imported goods and certain additional qualifiers for imported items such as scientific names, IUPAC names, brand name etc. as applicable to reduce queries and improve the efficiency of assessment.

2. Among those imported/exported, it is noted that in case of some products, the information currently provided by the importers/exporters of these products is inadequate and does not provide the complete technical details of the product thus leading to insufficient inputs for devising policies, certifications from technical agencies for assessment etc. with adversely impacting cargo clearance time.

3. On reviewing the matter in consultation with the Ministry of Steel, it is noted that the information in import/export declarations can be improved with technical details of the products thereby providing effective avoidance of queries, enhancing efficiency in assessment and facilitation.

4. Accordingly, the additional qualifiers, as per Annexure, are being proposed in consultation with the Ministry of Steel, and in terms of the Bill of Entry (Electronic Integrated Declaration and Paperless Processing) Regulations, 2018, which would need to declared at the time of filing of import declarations. Declaration of additional qualifiers would improve quality of assessment and intervention and
increase facilitation.

5. Suitable Public Notice may kindly be issued for guidance of the trade. Any difficulties faced or doubts arising in the implementation of this Circular may please be brought to the notice of Board.

6. Hindi version follows.

ANNEXURE

TABLE