Circular No. 23/2006-Cus
F.No.450/96/2006-Cus. IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
{Central Board of Excise & Customs}
New Delhi, dated the 25th August,2006
Subject: Examination norms concerning import & export through courier mode-regarding-
The undersigned is directed to invite your kind attention towards the issues raised by Express Industry Council of India (EICI) on the difficulties being faced by them in clearances of courier consignments from export & import through courier mode. While the Board is considering suitable amendments in Courier Imports and Exports (Clearance) Regulations, 1998, EICI has informed about the divergent examination practices being followed at different Customs locations.
2. Board has examined the issue. The automation project for clearance of courier consignment is under progress. Under the automated process the consignments would be identified for examination on the basis of ‘risk analysis’. However, till such time automated system is installed, manual examination norms are necessary. Following examination norms are provided for import and export of Courier consignments,-
(a) 100% screening of import/ export consignments (documents and all types of cargo) required to be done through X-ray or other NII techniques. Wherever possible the facility of X-ray machines available with Customs could be used; otherwise the airlines or AAI’s screening facility may be resorted to for such screening. Further wherever feasible such screening by multi-agencies could be combined to reduce the time taken and avoid duplicity.
(b) Physical examination of export documents (covered by customs declarations CBEx-I and CSB-I), gifts, samples and export goods (covered by customs declarations CBEx-II, CSB-II,) limited upto a maximum of 10%of the total courier consignments or specific intelligence. The consignments so selected to be examined 100%.
(c) Physical examination of import documents (covered under customs declarations CBE-III, CBE-VIII), gifts, samples (covered under customs declarations CBE-IV, CBE-IX) and dutiable goods (covered under customs declarations CBE-V, CBE-X) limited upto a maximum of 10% of the total courier consignments. The consignments so selected to be examined 100%.
(d) Selection of consignments for (b) & (c) above would be based on the various parameters such as nature of goods, value, weight, status of importer etc.
(e) However the Commissioner of Customs in respective port can exercise the discretion of random examination of goods, on specific parameter such as country of import/export, nature of goods as presently provided in the present EDI System.
3. Notwithstanding anything contained above, any consignment can be examined by the Customs (even upto 100% examination), if there is any specific intelligence or there is doubt during X-ray in respect of the said consignment.
4. These instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned by way of issuance of suitable Standing Orders.
5. Difficulties, if any in implementation of these instructions, may be brought to the notice of the Board. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this Circular.
