KYC Norms for Courier Clearance

· Proof of Identity and Proof of Address Must

· Addhar Card as One of the Valid Documents for Individuals Included

[CBEC Circular No. 07 dated 12^th February 2015]

Attention is invited to Board Circular No 33/2010- Customs dated 07.09.2010 and Circular No. 04/2015-Cus dated 20.01.2015. Board Circular No. 33/2010- Customs dated 07.09.2010 interalia provides that all the authorised Courier are required to fulfil ‘Know Your Customer (KYC) norms’. The list of documents for KYC verification for Courier companies have been made applicable as prescribed under Circular No 09/2010-Customs dated 08.04.2010.

2. Representations have been received from the Express Industry Council of India highlighting problems faced in complying with the KYC norms. It has been represented that only one identification/ document instead of minimum two documents should be collected from importer/exporter at the time of delivery/pick up of shipment.

3. The matter has been examined in the Board. In order to redress the genuine difficulty, it has been decided that two documents, one for ‘proof of identity’ and other for ‘proof of address’ are required for KYC verification. This is in line with the KYC norms stipulated by RBI. However, in case of individuals, if any one document listed in the Board Circular No 9/2010-Cus dated 08.04.2010 contains both ‘proof of identity’ and ‘proof of addresses’, the same shall suffice for the purpose of KYC verification. Board has also decided to expand the list of documents required for KYC verification by including ‘Addhar Card’ as one of the valid documents for individuals. As regards, documents for KYC verification in case of others (other than individual), the existing instructions will remain in force.

4. Further, in order to expedite decision making for outsourcing activities by Courier companies, Board has decided that permission mandated under the Courier Imports and Exports (Clearance) Regulations, 1998 and Courier Imports and Exports (Electronic declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2010 should be granted without delay and in any case within 7 days.

5. Similarly, to ensure expeditious decision in respect of re export of mis-routed consignments, Board has decided that decisions on request of re-export in the particular situation mentioned in Circular No 04/2015-Cus dated 20.01.2015 should ordinarily be taken within 2 (two) days.

6. Board Circular No 33/2010-Customs dated 07.09.2010 and Circular No. 04/2015-Cus dated 20.01.2015, stand modified to the above extent.

7. Chief Commissioners of Customs/Customs and Central Excise are advised to ensure that above guidelines are complied with strictly by the staff working under their charge.

8. Difficulty, faced if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board immediately.

F. No. 450/77/2010-Cus IV