The Customs (On-Arrival Movement for Storage and Clearance at Authorised Importer Premises) Regulations, 2025

The Customs (On-Arrival Movement for Storage and Clearance at Authorised Importer Premises) Regulations, 2025, notified under Notification No. 11/2025-CUSTOMS (N.T.) on February 17, 2025, introduce a streamlined process for the movement, storage, and clearance of imported goods at designated premises.

Key Provisions:

1. Applicability:
   • The regulations apply to importers recognized as Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) under Tier II or III status.
   • The goods must be classified under headings 8517-8548.
   • The importer must have a designated place within a licensed warehouse under sections 58 or 58A of the Customs Act, 1962.
   • The licensed bonded warehouse must have permission under section 65 of the Act.
2. Registration Process:
   • Importers intending to utilize this facility must apply to the Commissioner of Customs with jurisdiction over the relevant area.
   • The application should be in the prescribed form and include details of the Authorised Importer Premises.
   • The Commissioner is required to verify the premises within seven days and decide on the application within an additional seven days.
3. Declaration of Intent:
   • The Authorised Importer must declare their intent to avail the facility in the Bill of Entry under section 46 of the Customs Act, along with details of the Authorised Importer Premises.
4. Automated Permission for Storage:
   • Upon the arrival of goods and completion of electronic processing, the Customs Automated System grants automated permission for storage at the Authorised Importer Premises.
   • This permission is subject to conditions such as non-selection for scanning, no pending no-objection from government agencies, and no holds based on specific intelligence.
5. Movement, Storage, and Clearance:
   • Once permission is granted, the importer may move goods to the Authorised Importer Premises under bond, affixing a secured seal as specified by the Commissioner.
   • Upon arrival, the bond officer may examine the goods and provide a report to the Port of Import electronically.
   • Importers may submit necessary documents or respond to queries during clearance or removal at the Authorised Importer Premises.
   • After completing formalities, goods may be cleared for home consumption under section 47 or permitted to be removed for warehousing under section 60 by the proper officer at the Port of Import.
6. Obligations of the Authorised Importer:
   • Provide a continuity bond for the custody of goods during movement.
   • Inform the bond officer about the arrival of goods at the Authorised Importer Premises.
   • Ensure safe storage and facilitate handling and examination at their expense.
   • Ensure goods are cleared or removed within 15 days of permission, extendable by the Commissioner if justified.
   • Maintain records of receipt, handling, storage, and removal of goods and produce them to the bond officer when required.
   • Comply with all provisions of the Customs Act and related rules, regulations, notifications, and orders.

These regulations aim to enhance the efficiency of the import process by allowing authorized importers to manage the storage and clearance of their goods at designated premises, thereby reducing congestion at ports and facilitating smoother trade operations.

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FORM

[See regulation 4(1)]

Application for Authorised Importer

To,

The Principal Commissioner/ Commissioner,

….

I, …………….. (name of the importer) hereby submit an application to avail the facility under Customs (On-Arrival Movement for Storage, Clearance at Authorised Importer Premises), 2025 and undertake to comply with the provisions laid down in the said regulations and other related circulars, public notice as follows:

Signature:………………..

Date:                                                                                                   Full Name:

Place:                                                                                                  Designation: