Principal Commissioner of Customs, Chennai, issued Public Notice No. 03/2025, outlining the mandatory nationwide implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018, effective January 16, 2025. This regulation supersedes earlier import, export, and goods transportation regulations and mandates the filing of arrival, departure, and local manifests using SCMTR message formats at all sea ports and inland container depots (ICDs) across India. SCMTR formats are already operational at nine major ports, including Mumbai, Cochin, and Vishakhapatnam, with a stable system in place. Parallel filing under both old and new formats continues at other locations. Stakeholders, including shipping lines, agents, terminal operators, and importers/exporters, are encouraged to switch to SCMTR formats immediately to ensure a seamless transition. Initial challenges with data entry errors and non-compliant software have been identified, and stakeholders are advised to consult Message Implementation Guidelines (MIG) and advisories on the ICEGATE portal. Testing of various manifest and amendment messages is also recommended. For any assistance, stakeholders may contact the SCMTR Cell at Chennai Custom House.
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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: 25254352
Email : pcommr3-cuschn@gov.in
File No. I(22)/RPTS/83/2024-IMP-O/O PR COMMR-CUS-PREV-CHENNAI
Date: 10-01-2025
PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 03/2025
Kind attention of Authorized Sea Carriers (Including Shipping Lines), Authorized Sea Agents (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 stakeholders is invited to the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018 notified vide Notification No. 38/2018- Customs (N.T.) dated 11.05.2018, in supersession of Import Manifest (Vessels) Regulations, 1971, Export Manifest Regulations, 1976 and Transportation of Goods (Through Foreign Territory) Regulations, 1965 and Notification No. 57/2024 – Customs (N.T.) dated 31st August 2024 and Notification No. 74/2024 – Customs (N.T.) dated 30th October 2024.
2. As stipulated vide Notification No. 74/2024- Customs (N.T.) dated 31.10.2024, all-India rollout of the Sea Cargo Manifest and transshipment Regulations, 2018 (SCMTR) is scheduled for 16th January 2025, when filing of arrival, departure and local manifests in accordance with SCMTR formats will become mandatory at all sea ports and ICDs across India.
3. In accordance with the timelines laid down by the Board, SCMTR message formats have been made mandatory at 9 ports (Marmagao, New Mangalore, Mumbai, Kandla, Tutukorin, Vishakhapatnam, Ennore, Katupalli and Cochin) with effect from 10th September 2024, and the System is stable and working well.
4. At all the other locations, parallel filing under both erstwhile formats and new SCMTR formats is taking place. All stakeholders are encouraged to start filing in SCMTR formats immediately so that there are no issues faced by the users when the new formats become mandatory, enabling a smooth transition.
5. The trade is further advised to go through the Message Implementation Guidelines (MIG) and the various SCMTR advisories available on the ICEGATE website, as it was noticed that the initial issues that were faced were due to the errors in data entry by the users, errors in complying with correct formats and data structures and errors due to use of non-compliant private software.
6. The trade may also undertake test filing in SCMTR format for SAM (Sea Arrival Manifest), SDM (Sea Departure Manifest), SAM and SDM amendment messages, SEI (Sea Entry Inward), and ETP (Export Transhipment Permit for local ICD manifests).
7. Any difficulty faced in this regard may be brought to the notice of the SCMTR Cell at Room No. 112, Ganga Block, 1st Floor, Custom House, Chennai.
(ISTIKHAR BAIG)
Principal Commissioner of Customs
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. CCBA, Chennai.
6. CHENSAA, Chennai.
7. Consolidators Association of India, Chennai.
8. Terminal Operators in Chennai Customs Seaports.
9. Freight Forwarders Association of India, Chennai.
