The Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs, Chennai-III Preventive Commissionerate, has issued Public Notice No. 32/2024, providing an important update on the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018. These regulations, aimed at enhancing transparency and predictability in the movement of sea cargo, are set to undergo significant changes. This notice addresses the transition to new manifest declaration formats and provides an extension for stakeholders to adapt to these changes.
Background of SCMTR
The Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018, were introduced by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) to replace the earlier Import Manifest (Vessels) Regulations, 1971, Export Manifest Regulations, 1976, and Transportation of Goods (Through Foreign Territory) Regulations, 1965. The SCMTR aims to streamline the process of sea cargo manifest and transshipment, ensuring timely and accurate collection of information for customs clearance.
Key Provisions of the Notice
- Transparency and Predictability: The SCMTR focuses on bringing transparency and predictability in the movement of imported and exported goods. It mandates the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in this process, including shipping lines, agents, terminal operators, and customs brokers.
- Transition Period Extension: Under Regulation 15 (2) of SCMTR, the old formats have been accepted during a transitional period. Given the feedback and readiness of stakeholders, the Board has extended the deadline for using old formats until 31st August 2024. This extension provides additional time for stakeholders to transition to the new formats.
- New Format Testing and Feedback: The Directorate General of Systems (DGoS) has been actively interacting with stakeholders to test the new formats. More than 15 major changes have been incorporated based on stakeholder feedback. The ICEGATE 2.0 module, developed to facilitate the new format, is operational and receiving test files.
- Parallel Filing: During the extended period, stakeholders are encouraged to start filing in the new format on a parallel basis. This approach will help identify and troubleshoot errors, ensuring a smoother transition. The details filed in both old and new formats will be matched to analyze completeness.
- Amendments and Filing Guidelines: Amendments to the Import General Manifest (IGM) can be filed in the old format during the parallel filing period until the arrival of the vessel without the need for officer approval. The DGoS will issue guidelines related to the registration process and filing requirements under SCMTR for different stakeholders.
The preparatory phase involves analyzing errors, troubleshooting, and ensuring robustness in parallel filing. Location-wise mandatory filing of messages will be enforced through local public notices in consultation with DGoS. Stakeholders facing difficulties can contact the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs (Import-Noting) at the specified address.
The extension provided by the Board until 31st August 2024 offers stakeholders ample time to adapt to the new Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR) formats. It is crucial for all concerned parties to utilize this period effectively to ensure compliance and avoid potential delays in cargo clearance. The proactive approach by the Directorate General of Systems (DGoS) in testing and incorporating feedback highlights the collaborative effort towards a seamless transition. Stakeholders are advised to prioritize parallel filing in the new format to ensure readiness for the complete switch post the extension period.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS,
CHENNAI-III PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE
CUSTOM HOUSE, NO.60, RAJAJI SALAI, CHENNAI 600 001
Telephone: 252543352
Email : pcommr3-cuschn@gov.in
F.No.I/(22)/RPTS/83/2024-IMP-O/O PR COMMR-CUS-PREV-CHENNAI
Dated:11-07-2024
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.32/2024
Kind attention of Authorized Sea Carrier (Including Shipping Lines), Authorized Sea Agent (Steamer/Shipping Agents), Authorized Carrier (Transhippers), Terminal Operators, Custodians, Freight Forwarders, Importers, Exporters, Customs Brokers, Authorized Persons of all above, Associations and Federations representing the above persons, and all other concerned stakeholder is invited to Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018 notified vide Notification No. 38/2018-Customs (N.T.) dated 11.05.2018, as amended and issued by Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), New Delhi in supersession of Import Manifest (Vessels) Regulations, 1971, Export Manifest Regulations, 1976 and Transportation of Goods (Through Foreign Territory) Regulations, 1965 and P.N. 46/2018 dated 06.07.2018 in F.No.S.Misc.50/2018-Imports issued by Commissioner of Customs, Chennai III Preventive Commissionerate, Board Circular No. 43/2020-Customs dated 30.09.2020 , P.N 01/2021 dated 12.02.2021 in F.No.S.Misc54/2018-Imports and Board Circular No. 08/2024 dated 30.06.2024 & Notification No. 47/2024-Customs (N.T.) dated 30th June, 2024.
2. The SCMTR seeks to bring about transparency, predictability of movement, and advance collection of information for expeditious customs clearance. The regulations stipulate the obligations, the roles and responsibilities, of the various stakeholders involved in the movement of imported/exported goods. The regulations also specify the changes to the formats and timelines for filing the manifest declarations. Board Circular No. 43/2020-Customs dated 30.09.2020 has elaborated more on the above aspects.
3. Under the transitional provision under Regulation 15 (2), the old formats have continued to be accepted, thereby giving sufficient time for complying with the new formats in a phased manner.
4. With the deadline of 30th June, Directorate General of Systems (DGoS) has been interacting with all the stakeholders and extensively testing the formats as per the SCMTR Regulations. More than 15 major changes have been carried out in the application based on the feedback. The development of the ICEGATE 2.0 module is also complete and the module is receiving the test files in the new format. It is further noted that few stakeholders have shown readiness and are filing in the new format, while many others are yet to start testing in the new format, thereby creating the doubt regarding the readiness to move completely into the new format from 1st July 2024.
5. On reviewing the status of readiness of the stakeholders, Board has, through Board Circular No. 08/2024 dated 30.06.2024 & Notification No. 47/2024-Customs (N.T.) dated 30th June, 2024 decided to provide an extension for filing under the old format till 31st August, 2024, as a final preparatory phase for migration into new system from 31st August 2024 onwards. Therefore, stakeholders are advised to start filing in the new format on a parallel basis on priority, as failure of the same may negatively impact the cargo clearance times for those consignments.
6. Following aspects may be kept in mind during the parallel filing of the declaration:
a. Any amendment may be filed in old format during parallel filing.
b. The complete details may be filed in the new format. The details filed in old & new format will be matched to analyze the completeness.
c. During parallel filing, the amendments to the IGM can be filed till the arrival of the vessel without approval of the officer.
7. The DGoS will be issuing various guidelines related to the registration process and filing requirements under the new Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR) for different stakeholders such as Shipping Lines, Freight Forwarders, Trans-shippers etc., who are integral to the implementation of the said regulations. The same are made available at www.icegate.gov.in -> Advisories – >SCMTR.
8. In this preparatory phase, DGoS will analyze the errors, troubleshoot and ensure robustness in the parallel filing of messages. The messages will be made mandatory location-wise within this period, by way of local Public Notice(s), in consultation with DGoS.
9. Any difficulty faced in this regard may be brought to the notice of the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs (Import-Noting) at Room No.313, Ganga Block, 3rd Floor, Custom House, Chennai.
Signed by Manayathara
M. Mathew Jolly
Date : 11-07-2024 21:25:30
(M. Mathew Jolly)
Principal Commissioner of Customs
Chennai Preventive Commissionerate
To
1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Customs Zone, Custom House, Chennai
2. The Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs, Chennai (Airport/Import/Export/Preventive/Air Cargo/General) Commissionerate – For information
3. The Superintendent of Customs, CHS – For displaying on Notice Board
4. EDI – For publication in Chennai Customs Website
5. CCHA, Chennai
6. CHENSAA, Chennai
7. Console Agents Association, Chennai
8. Terminal Operators in Chennai Customs Seaports
9. Freight Forwarders Association of India, Chennai
10. NACFS, Chennai.
