Risk Management System implementation at ICD Bhambholi: all import Bills of Entry to be processed under RMS.
Implementation of a Risk Management System (RMS) for imports at ICD Bhambholi is announced, with all Bills of Entry filed in ICES to be processed under the RMS. The notice highlights the merger of facilitation schemes into a three-tier Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and invites eligible exporters to apply to the Commissioner of Customs, Pune; a Local Risk Manager with contact details is designated for resolving implementation difficulties.

Direct Port Delivery of imports expands automatic access for listed importers and specified facilitated categories without separate applications.
Direct Port Delivery of imports at Kolkata and Haldia Ports is extended to listed importers without a separate application. Government entities, Authorised Economic Operators, 100% Export Oriented Units, Special Economic Zone units, Nepal-Bhutan import transit consignments, and consignments bound for an Inland Container Depot are also automatically eligible. Other importers may apply under the prescribed procedure. Listed importers are encouraged to obtain Authorised Economic Operator status for assured facilitation and related benefits.

Tax dispute online tracking requires uploading case data and scanned orders at each adjudicatory stage for compliance.
Implementation mandates use of the Tax Dispute Online Tracking System (TDOTS) for monitoring tax dispute proceedings: issuing sections must upload case data and scanned documents and obtain credentials; each processing section must upload documents for successive adjudicatory stages and verify uploads before processing, endorsing files to the Commissioner; retrospective and legacy case uploads must be completed per transitional deadlines and the Commissionerate MPR must reconcile with TDOTS data with technical certification.

Special warehouse compliance: mandatory custody, digital records, CCTV and escorted removal to duty free shops, with monthly returns.
Prescribes operational controls for Special Warehouses and Duty Free Shops under Cochin Customs: warehouses must be under bond officer custody with escorted removals to DFS; DFS operate as the point of sale under CCTV surveillance and computerized invoicing. Licencees must maintain secure facilities, a digital stock-keeping system with audit trail, server-location and daily backups, obtain authorised digital signatures, retain documentary evidence and scanned passenger identification linked to sales, and preserve records for a prescribed retention period. Transfers and removals must follow Section 58A licensing, Warehoused Goods (Removal) Regulations and Section 67, and licencees must file signed monthly returns and make records available for inspection.

Export proceeds monitoring may trigger recovery of drawback with interest if exporters' bank records are not updated.
Monitoring of export proceeds must be performed via the RBI-BRC module and exporters must ensure foreign exchange realisation is recorded within nine months of export unless extended by the Reserve Bank; otherwise the drawback disbursed becomes recoverable with interest. A list of shipping bills with pending realisation will be published, and exporters should instruct authorised dealer banks to update EDPMS records so customs can reconcile data. Customs will place alerts and issue show cause notices for recovery where updates are not made, and exporters may contact the Export Proceeds Realisation Monitoring Cell for assistance.

Entity registration under Sea Cargo Manifest Regulations required; electronic arrival/departure manifests and inland manifest mandated for e-sealed export cargo.
Registration under the Sea Cargo Manifest & Transhipment Regulations requires Indian entities to register as Authorised Sea Carrier or Authorised Sea Agent and electronically submit Arrival and Departure Manifests prior to vessel departures. The Customs Inland Manifest (CIM) for e-sealed export cargo must be filed by the exporter for each vehicle or rail consignment before cargo leaves the exporter's premises; CIMs may reference multiple Shipping Bills. CIM details of vehicle, container and e-seal will be shared with the Risk Management System and verified by Preventive Officers in ICES, who will record match and tamper status.

Drawback Brand Rate jurisdiction change shifts application processing to port-based commissionerates with transitional safeguards and filing cell.
From 01.07.2017 applications for fixation of Drawback Brand Rate are to be filed with the Customs Commissionerate having jurisdiction over the port of export; Rule 6 and Rule 7 were amended by Notification No. 58/2017-cus (N.T). A Brand Rate Fixation cell is established at Hyderabad Customs headquarters to receive fresh and pending applications. The existing Duty Drawback scheme continues for a transition period until 30.09.2017, allowing composite rates subject to conditions that prevent simultaneous claiming of composite drawback and input tax credits or IGST refunds, and barring carry forward of CENVAT credit when composite rates are claimed.

Import/export prohibition on Indian currency - Bangladesh and Pakistan citizens barred from carrying notes; customs to enforce compliance.
Citizenship-based restriction: nationals of Bangladesh and Pakistan are prohibited from importing into India or exporting from India Indian currency notes under the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015 and related circular guidance; customs officials at Land Customs Stations are directed to ensure strict compliance and prevent such movements of currency.

Refrigerated cargo inspection waiver permits export after supervised stuffing and sealing upon confirmation, subject to scanning on intelligence.
Where refrigerated containers are stuffed and sealed under supervision of the jurisdictional Customs officer, the Superintendent i/c of the Parking Plaza/CFS shall waive physical examination upon confirmation by phone or email within two hours; failing confirmation the matter is to be escalated. The Parking Plaza/CFS officer must record supervised stuffing and sealing details in EDI departmental comments, and refrigerated containers remain liable to scanning/examination on intelligence or if RFID seals are found tampered.

Supervised stuffing and sealing of reefer containers requires exporter request and Customs officer supervision under prescribed e seal procedures.
Supervised stuffing and sealing at Mundra Port requires exporter application to the Commissioner and a 24 hour request to the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner, Docks Preventive; deputed officers will supervise stuffing to the exporter's goods list, affix REID e seals supplied by the exporter, and endorse invoice copies with supervision details. RMCC will seek to avoid port examination of such sealed reefers though risk based or intelligence driven selection, tamper indications, or discretionary examination may occur. Existing self sealing with RFID e seals continues where supervised stuffing is not requested; applicable MOT charges must be prepaid.

Customs broker oral examination scheduled 10 and 11 July 2018 with revised candidate list and venue announced.
Oral examinations for customs broker licences under the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2013 are scheduled for 10 and 11 July 2018 at Custom House, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad; a revised list of eligible candidates received from commissionerates is annexed as Annexure A specifying schedules and dates, and candidates or stakeholders facing difficulties are to inform the Department.

Customs port inclusion permits imports and exports through Kakinada and Krishnapatnam, subject to Notification conditions and policy.
Kakinada Port and Krishnapatnam Port are permitted for imports and exports for the purposes of Notification No.32/1997-Customs, subject to all conditions of that Notification, the Import-Export policy and any restrictions imposed by the Board; the proviso to condition (vi) authorizes the Commissioner to allow imports/exports through these ports.

Transporters of CID/CTD exports must register with the LCS, record vehicle details, and list transporter on export documents.
Transporters carrying CID/CTD (Exports) consignments must register with the concerned LCS and obtain a one year license; vehicle details must be registered and export documents (including LUT/insurance) must state the transporter, vehicle number and CHA name. Customs brokers must submit letters of authority from Nepalese exporters authorizing the broker and transporter. Failure to secure safe transit and receipt at destination will lead to deregistration and action under sections 16 and 135 of the Customs Act. A prescribed application and supporting documents are required for registration and renewal.

Sensitive items designation restricts specified export consignments to prevent diversion, effective immediately under transit treaty procedures.
Para 8 of the Export Procedure under the Transit Treaty empowers the Government to specify sensitive items for CTD (Exports) to prevent diversion; the Patna Commissionerate, citing diversion incidents and border communications, has designated Buffalo Meat; Cotton Goods; Gutkha; Tobacco Products; Tea; Handicraft Goods; Readymade Garments; Noodle; Yarn; and Felt Goods as sensitive, effective immediately and to be followed until further order.

Drawback claims: DTA suppliers to SEZ must obtain sanction and payment from the customs commissioner of their jurisdiction.
Drawback claims for supplies from DTA units to SEZ units or developers shall be processed, brand rates fixed when required, and disbursed by the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs (including Customs (Preventive)) having jurisdiction over the DTA supplier; pending claims held by Central Excise up to 30.06.2017 are to be transferred to the jurisdictional Customs commissionerates. Processing requires triplicate export/shipping bills with invoice and packing list, SEZ disclaimer, certificate of non-availment from the SEZ Specified Officer, and BRCs, and must comply with the Drawback Rules, 2017.

Conduct of oral examination for customs broker licensing candidates in Ahmedabad; venue, dates and candidate lists provided in Annexure A.
Notification that Ahmedabad is the designated interview venue for eligible customs broker licensing candidates from multiple commissionerates, with oral examinations to be conducted on the specified dates and details (venue, dates, candidate names and roll numbers) provided in Annexure A; candidates are directed to report difficulties to the office contact.

Duty drawback processing shifted to Customs jurisdiction for DTA-to-SEZ supplies, affecting claim processing and brand-rate fixation.
Duty drawback claims for supplies by DTA units to SEZ units or developers where a disclaimer is issued shall be processed and paid by the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs or Customs (Preventive) having jurisdiction over the DTA supplier; brand-rate fixation for such supplies will also be done by that Customs office for fresh claims filed from 1.7.2017. Pending claims filed up to 30.6.2017 with Central Excise formations will be transferred to the appropriate Customs Commissionerates; existing Drawback Rules, 1995 instructions remain except as modified and Central Excise Commissionerates will continue Customs functions until formal replacement.

Procedure for exports by post updated; trade advised to follow related e commerce export and personal import circulars.
Procedure for exports by post and clarification on personal imports are reiterated, citing the Exports by Post Regulations and related board circulars that set out procedures for e commerce exports through post and clarify treatment of personal imports; trade is requested to take note and follow these instruments for exports via foreign post offices.

Endorsement on Form-6 relocated to Rangoli Gate to streamline customs endorsement while verification stays at Terminal Gate.
Customs officers will be posted at Rangoli Gate to perform endorsement on Form-6, while physical checks such as RFID seal verification and container number verification will continue to be carried out at the Terminal Gate under existing arrangements; stakeholders experiencing difficulties may approach the Deputy Commissioner (Docks Preventive) for remedial action.

Risk management system governs import processing, enabling targeted assessment, examination, facilitation, and post clearance audit.
The RMS will electronically process Bills of Entry and IGMs in ICES, generate instructions for direct out-of-charge, assessment, or examination, and mark selected consignments for post-clearance audit; officers must follow RMS instructions, ensure fulfillment of Compulsory Compliance Requirements, verify data quality and documentation, and may exceed RMS guidance where legal scrutiny requires.