Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has issued Circular No. 10/2024-Customs, dated 20th August 2024, detailing the implementation of ICETABs to enhance the efficiency and transparency of customs cargo examination and clearance. ICETABs, mobile tablet devices equipped with a specialized application, allow Customs Officers to quickly upload examination reports and capture up to four images of the examined cargo in real-time. This new system supports a paperless, seamless examination process by providing instant access to Risk Management System (RMS) instructions, examination orders, and Bill of Entry (BE) details directly on the device. The initiative, part of CBIC’s ongoing efforts to simplify trade procedures and boost transparency, aims to reduce the time required for cargo clearance by eliminating the need for printed documents. Examination reports and images captured via ICETABs will be integrated into the e-Sanchit repository for future reference. The circular mandates that any technical issues with ICETABs be swiftly resolved by Customs Commissioners in collaboration with DG Systems, and that network connectivity is maintained for optimal functionality. Detailed guidance on using ICETABs will be provided by DG Systems, with provisions for manual reporting in exigent circumstances.
F.No.450/128/2024-Cus IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Circular No. 10/2024-Customs | Dated: 20th August, 2024
To,
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners (Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/ Customs & Central Tax),
All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners (Customs/ Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Director General/ Director General under CBIC
Subject: Use of ICETABs for efficient examination and clearance process – reg.
Madam/ Sir,
Sustained efforts by CBIC in simplifying trade procedures, enhancing transparency, and adopting best practices have enabled it to achieve steady improvements across various trade facilitation indicators, as reflected in the Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation conducted by the UNESCAP 2023. As per the Global Report 2023, India’s overall trade facilitation implementation score has improved from 78.49 per cent in 2019 to 93.55 per cent in 2023. CBIC has also released a Customs Ease of Doing Business Compendium 2024 which details recent trade facilitation initiatives of CBIC. Copy of compendium is available at https://www.cbic.gov.in/entities/cbic-content-mst/NTE2.
2. In view of the objective of trade facilitation, transparency and efficiency in Customs processes, CBIC has decided use of ICETAB for speedy examination of import consignments. In brief, ICETAB is a mobile tablet device for use by Customs Officers for facilitating quick upload of the examination report on the go in real time basis and making the examination process transparent and faster. ICETAB contains an exclusive Mobile Application to enable examining officers to,-
(a) view RMS Instructions, Examination Order and Bill of Entry (BE) details along with other supporting documents;
(b) capture upto four images of cargo examination for integration with the Bill of Entry
(c) submit examination report immediately on completion of the cargo examination thus reducing the time taken in examination process and making the process seamless and paperless.
3. Customs cargo clearance is based on Risk Management System where on the basis of risk associated, few consignments are intervened for assessment and examination. After assessment procedure is complete, the assessed copy of Bill of Entry is electronically made available to importer/ Customs Broker for duty payment and prepare the cargo ready for examination by Customs officer. In absence of holistic mobility coverage, Examining officers were relying on printed copy of assessed BE for examination as it contains Examination Order and other instructions. With this launch of new version of ICETAB from 23.08.2024, the examination order will be seamlessly available to Examining officer on ICETAB. Accordingly, there will be no requirement for any paper documents for the purpose of carrying out examination.
4. Examining officer, on the basis of instructions already made available through ICETAB, will have to take and upload four images of the cargo being examined. The images should cover key aspects of examination. These images will also be integrated in e-Sanchit repository for subsequent viewing. The examining officers should also upload the examination report immediately using the ICETAB.
5. A detailed advisory for the use of ICETABs will be issued by DG Systems. In cases of exigencies where the report cannot be given using ICETAB, prior permission of concerned Assistant Commissioner is required and same may be recorded in the examination report as well. The Pr. Commissioner of Customs/ Commissioner of Customs having jurisdiction over the import shed, on weekly basis, review the use of ICETABs and resolve any technical difficulty immediately in consultation with DG Systems. The Commissioner of Customs shall ensure network connectivity for efficient functioning of ICETABs.
6. This Circular may be given wide publicity by issue of suitable Trade Notice/Public Notice. All Stakeholders under your jurisdiction may be instructed suitably and officers may also be sensitized of these changes. Any difficulty faced by stakeholders may be brought to notice of the Board.
Hindi Version follows.
Yours faithfully,
(Sanjeet Kumar)
Under Secretary to Government of India
