National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2024 report, recently released by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, evaluates cargo clearance processes across Indian Customs. This year’s study includes new case studies on transit cargo to and from Nepal, cargo release at ICD Garhi, and courier cargo at ACC Bengaluru. These benchmarks aim to identify areas for improvement in trade facilitation. The Board also announced that SEZ exporters can now benefit from the RoDTEP scheme, effective from July 1, 2024, following the integration of SEZ units with the Customs ICEGATE system. This inclusion is expected to enhance the competitiveness of India’s SEZs. Additionally, DRI Kolkata intercepted a gold smuggling attempt near the India-Bangladesh border, seizing gold worth Rs. 5.81 crores. In GST enforcement, CGST Belagavi Commissionerate uncovered a fake invoicing racket involving a tax consultant, resulting in the arrest of the mastermind and exposure of fake invoices worth Rs. 132 crores and fraudulent ITC claims amounting to Rs. 23.82 crores.
Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC dated 22.07.2024
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
DO No. 30/News Letter/CH(IC)/2024 Dated: 22nd July, 2024
Dear Colleague,
Last week, the Board released the National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2024 report. NTRS 2024 presents the findings of the study of cargo clearance processes of Indian Customs. This year, NTRS 2024 has expanded the scope of the study to include transit cargo to and from Nepal, cargo release at ICD Garhi, and courier cargo at ACC Bengaluru. These case studies provide valuable benchmarks for future comparisons and highlight specific areas for targeted improvements. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the stakeholders—Customs officers, trade partners, and PGAs—who have contributed to the process of NTRS. The findings from this study will guide us in refining our strategies and interventions, ensuring that we continue to facilitate trade effectively and efficiently.
In a significant development for exporters operating within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the recent notification of the CBIC (Not.No. 50/ 2024-Customs(N.T.) dated 19th July, 2024), allowing them to avail the benefits of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for exports from 01St July 2024 onwards marks a pivotal step forward. The implementation for exports made by SEZ units, was dependent on the condition of IT integration of SEZ Units with Customs ICEGATE system, which has been made live since 01St of July. This inclusion ensures that SEZ units can also benefit from remission of duties and taxes like other exporters, enhancing the competitiveness of India’s SEZs. This is an important step in unifying the Customs processes and providing benefits to the EXIM community.
Continuing the offensive against gold smuggling, officers of DRI Kolkata, on receipt of specific intelligence, intercepted a person near the International Border at Gede (District Nadia, West Bengal). Search of the said person with the assistance of BSF officers resulted in recovery of 21 gold biscuits with foreign markings and 09 defaced gold bars, weighing 7856.930 grams and valued at Rs. 5.81 Crores. The operation is a golden example of coordination with other agencies to protect the borders against gold smuggling. Excellent work by the Kolkata team!
In the realm of GST, CGST Belagavi Commissionerate uncovered a fake invoicing racket being run by a tax consultant through his own firm and by managing the accounts of other firms. The tax professional admitted to generation of fake invoices worth Rs. 132 Crore and availment/ passing of fake ITC amounting to Rs. 23.82 Crore without underlying supplies. The consultant, being the mastermind of the tax fraud, has been arrested. My compliments to the officers of CGST Belagavi!
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes 86 Customs.
