The government of India has decided to introduce paperless Customs clearance and online submission of documents starting from today, Wednesday, 15th April 2020.

This is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) as it looks at ways to facilitate and expedite Customs clearance process, making it more and more contactless (automated and online, as well as paper-less), to tackle the scourge of Covid-19 pandemic that has roiled export-import (EXIM) trade.

“This electronic communication would reduce interface between the Customs authorities and the importers/Customs Brokers and also do away with the requirement of taking bulky printouts from the service centre or maintenance of voluminous physical dockets in the Customs Houses,” Vineeta Sinha, OSD, Customs, wrote in an April 13 circular.

The Final eOoC copy of BoE and eGatepass copy will be e-mailed to the concerned Customs Broker and/or importer, if registered, once the Out of Charge is granted. The eGatepass copy will be used by the Gate Officer or the Custodian to allow the physical exit of imported goods from the Customs area, Sinha wrote in the circular issued to all Principal Chief Commissioners of Customs.

Source: thehindubusinessline.com – 14^th April 2020

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay (cropped)