Customs Payment ECL now Functional, Goods Stuck at Ports Incurring Demurrage, Container Rent and Interest

Customs duty payments is not possible since challans are not visible on ICEGATE.

The system did functions for a day or two but collapses a second time. The software is developed by Infosys, it is said. Even essential medicines supply chain is affected.

CBIC has accepted that there were problems. "CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) has noted difficulties being faced by members of the trade in making duty payments over the customs automated system. It may be noted that an upgraded and modern system of payment is live since 1 April, 2023. Our technical teams are working overtime to fix some teething issues and the problems being temporarily noticed will be resolved at the earliest," it tweeted late on Monday.

The recently unveiled ECL wallet or cash ledger module enables users to create a virtual account on ICEGATE website, and act as mode of payment for custom duties online apart from the current mode of payments, which are internet banking and NEFT/RTGS.

The customs payment system is not the only platform that has faced teething problems. Even the ministry of corporate affairs' MCA 21 has been facing transition issues, prompting the ministry to resort to manual filing.

The testing of the system with full backup was lacking, trade charges.