RMS Facilitated Bills of Entry for Food Items – Temporary Relaxation

[Customs Standing Order No. 60 dated 14th October 2010]

The following Standing Order was issued by the Commissioner of Customs (Import) Jawaharlal Nehru Customs House on 14th October 2010.

Sub: Procedure for drawal of sample of food items.

Reference is invited to Standing Order No. 56/2010 dated 30.09.2010 and Standing Order no. 55/2010 dated 04.10.2010 regarding procedure for drawal of samples of food/edible items. Para 6 (iv) said Standing Order prescribes, as an interim measure, procedure for clearance of all RMS facilitated Bills of Entry (Bs./E). In these Bs/E. requirement of NOC from FSSAI in compliance of CCR including drawal of samples and testing has to be followed as per prevalent practice and goods were to be released after receipt of test reports/NOC from FSSAI.

2. Consequent to issue of the said Standing Orders, representations have been received from the Importers and Trade Associations regarding delay in clearance of RMS facilitated Bills of Entry as each of these consignments are subject to sampling and release on receipt of test report whereas Group assessed Bills of Entry are subject to random sampling as prescribed in the aforesaid Standing Orders.

3. The matter has been examined. Accordingly, as an interim measure, it is directed that in case of RMS facilitated Bills of Entry, on the request of importers the Group will recall the Bs/E and will reassess it as per procedure laid down in respect of group assessed Bills of Entry in Standing Orders No. 55 and 56/2010.

4. Any difficulty noticed in the implementation of this Standing Order may be brought to the notice of the undersigned.

F.No. S/26-Misc-235/10-11/Gr I