24x7 Customs Clearance for Perishable Agri Exports, No Examination at Customs Gate in Normal Cases

[CBEC Circular No. 12 dated 2^nd April 2013]

Attention is invited to Board Circular No 8/2007-Cus dated 22.1.2007 which lays guidelines about examination of export consignments of perishable cargo.

2. The Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has emphasized that in order to promote export of Agriculture and Processed Food products, the Customs authorities must be sensitized to accord priority clearance to perishable agro products cargo. Accordingly, the Board reiterates that export consignments of perishable agricultural goods should not be examined in a routine manner and should be examined only in cases of specific intelligence with prior permission of concerned Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner of Customs. Such perishable cargo which is taken up for examination should be given Customs clearance on the same day itself. In the event there are contraventions of Customs law, necessary legal action shall be taken but, in this case too, it shall be ensured that the perishable cargo is dealt with in such a manner including grant of provisional release (where permissible) so that it is not unduly held up in ports/airports etc.

3. Board has also decided, as a trade facilitation measure, to extend the facility of 24x7 Customs clearance for export consignments of perishable agricultural export goods at all air cargo complexes across the country.

4. Any difficulties in implementation of the Circular may be immediately brought to the notice of the Board.

F.NO. 450/7/2012- Cus IV