Nhava Sheva Customs Issues Instructions for Faster Assessment and Clearance of the Goods in Faceless Assessment

[JNCH Public Notice No. 21/2023 dated 08.03.2023]

DIN No. - 20230378NWOOOOOOB225

Sub: Streamlining the process and expediting assessment in FAG.

Attention of Importers, customs brokers, and all other stakeholders is invited towards various circulars issued by CBIC on Faceless Assessment to streamline the process and expedite assessment in FAG.

2. During the course of the Faceless Assessment, instances have been observed where owing to the non-submission of complete information and documents at the time of filing the Bill of Entry (BE), queries were required to be raised, which resulted in a slower pace of assessment and clearance of the consignment. It is also noticed that some required documents are not uploaded on e-Sanchit or are not legible, leading to a situation where the Appraising/Assessing Officer cannot view/read the document and is thus compelled to raise a query.

3. In this regard, Trade is advised to adhere to the following general instructions for faster assessment and clearance of the goods in Faceless Assessment: -

i. Ensure that legible copies of all supporting documents are uploaded in eSanchit.

ii. Ensure that after uploading the documents in eSanchit, they are properly linked with the concerned Bill of Entry, by tagging IRN with the corresponding Bill of Entry for all documents.

iii. As far as possible always upload the Catalogue/Technical Writeup/End use/ Product Data Sheet/User Manual, etc. along with picture of the goods which will help the FAGs in verification of self-assessment.

iv. Documents in support of declared value such as previous BEs, Purchase Order/ Contract, Remittance Copy etc. whichever is available may be uploaded to assist the proper officer is verification of assessment.

v. Whenever duty exemption is claimed under any exemption notification, the conditions of duty exemption should be carefully studied and compliance documents must be uploaded. Also, it must be ensured that the goods squarely falls under the category goods on which such exemption is allowed.

vi. If the importation of goods requires Registration under certain Acts/Rules, the same must be completed before filing the Bill of Entry and a copy of required certificate should be uploaded in eSanchit.

vii. Compliance of BIS Standards and uploading necessary registration certificate is very essential for safeguard of country from importation of spurious goods. Importers/CBs are requested to visit the website bis.gov.in and ensure that they have necessary certification, before filing of BEs.

viii. The Government has introduced monitoring mechanism on import of Steel, Chips, Non-Ferrous Metals, Paper and Coal. The Importers and CBs are requested to submit the mandatory information on the designated websites before filing of BEs and upload the documents in eSanchit.

ix. First time importers are required to submit KYC documents in terms of Public Notice No. 112/2017 dated 31-8-2017. It is advisable that this process may be completed well in advance.

x. While uploading the documents on eSanchit, Trade and Customs Broker are requested to select the correct code for the documents which is helpful in verification by the proper officer.

xi. Whenever a query is seeking specific information/document, it should be replied with relevant and specific answer providing information/documents sought therein. Frivolous replies result in repeated query.

xii. It has been observed that a few importers who intend to avail bene fit of deferred duty payment are not authenticating their Bills of Entry using the one-time password (OTP) sent to their registered e-mail. In such cases the proper officer at RMS-FC at INCH is unable to give OOC of such BEs and is compelled to raise query requesting the importer to authenticate the BE. Therefore, such instances may be avoided by ensuring that all BEs where such facility of deferred duty payment has been intended are duly authenticated.

xiii. While filing a BE for 'provisional assessment ' under Section 18 of the Customs Act, 1962 due to pending SVB investigation or for any other reasons, it is requested that proper reason for opting provisional assessment must be mentioned. If a declaration giving these reasons are also uploaded in eSanchit, that will be of added advantage at the time of finalization of assessment.

xiv. Wherever preferential rate of duty is claimed based on Country of Origin Certificate, and BE is facilitated by RMS for OOC, in order to avoid query, it is advised that goods registration should be done only after getting the CO certificate defaced by TSK, as OOC is not possible for such BEs by RMS-FC.

4. The list of documents required to be uploaded varies as per the imported goods. Assessing group-wise list of documents that are generally required to be uploaded are listed in Annexure 'A' of this PN. However, it may be noted that the provided list is not exhaustive. The importer may be required to upload additional documents depending on the nature of imported goods and the necessity of assessment. Further, the Assessment Officer may ask for additional documents if he finds necessary for Assessment.

5. The Trade is requested to bring the issues of delay and unwarranted queries to the notice of the concerned ADC/JC in charge of the assessing group. The Customs Broker and Importers are requested to file a Bill of Entry in advance after uploading all mandatory documents required for assessing the item imported on e-Sanchit in the proper column with a specific name to the document to avoid query and in order to expedite clearance of goods. Trade is also requested to give a specific reply to the query.

6. Difficulty, if any, faced in implementing the said Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the Additional Commissioner of Customs, Appraising Mains (J), JNCH.