Paperless processing under SWIFT: mandatory PGA upload of LPCOs; beneficiary uploads deactivated after cut-off, ensure email registration.
PGAs must upload digitally signed Licenses/Permits/Certificates/Other Authorizations (LPCOs) onto the e-SANCHIT platform; beneficiary self-uploading of previously issued LPCOs is deactivated after the cut-off, while PGAs are required to upload LPCOs issued during the prior fifteen-day window and may upload earlier LPCOs. PGAs will communicate IRNs and LPCO information via ICEGATE-registered email addresses using the Board's simplified auto-registration for limited e-SANCHIT functions.

Social Welfare Surcharge not payable via duty credit scrips; importers must pay surcharge in cash going forward.
SWS is a surcharge on customs duties and must be levied and collected on imported goods; duty credit scrips under export incentive schemes are a mode of payment for Basic and Additional Customs Duties but do not authorize debit of SWS as no exemption for SWS exists in the FTP or exemption notifications. Applying the judicial principle that exemptions for additional duties require specific notifications, SWS must be paid in cash going forward; past debits of SWS via scrips will be accepted and not recovered.

Sea Cargo Manifest registration requires ICEGATE enrolment and phased testing before mandatory use of new message formats.
Registration under the Sea Cargo Manifest Regulations must be completed via ICEGATE and stakeholders must apply from within their ICEGATE login. A phased testing period mandates submission of messages in both existing and new formats until full switchover; a matrix lists entity-specific messages and registration prerequisites, including a National Surety Bond for certain carriers and auto-approval for certain operators. Separate applications are required for multiple roles, queries from officers must be answered online without electronic document upload, and a dashboard and checklists are provided for monitoring readiness.

Paperless Processing under e SANCHIT: beneficiary uploads disabled; PGAs must promptly upload recent LPCOs for use.
e-SANCHIT requires PGAs to upload digitally signed LPCOs on the customs platform for paperless processing; beneficiary uploading of previously issued LPCOs is barred from 31/01/2020, while PGAs must upload LPCOs issued in the 15 days before the cut off and may upload earlier unutilized LPCOs to enable beneficiary use. Communication will proceed via ICEGATE registered email addresses and beneficiaries must ensure correct registration.

Automated clearance allows electronic Bill of Entry clearance after CCV and confirmation of duty payment.
Automated clearance under the first proviso to Section 47(1) enables electronic clearance of Bills of Entry by the Customs Automated System after risk-based Customs Compliance Verification (CCV) by designated officers and confirmation of duty payment; the facility applies only where RMS is enabled in ICES and will be initially piloted at two EDI locations, with DG Systems effecting required ICES changes and operational issues to be reported to designated Appraising Main (Import) NS-I officers.

Automated clearance enabled: ICES to permit electronic release after CCV confirmation and duty payment verification.
Automated electronic clearance under the first proviso to Section 47(1) operates by permitting ICES to clear Bills of Entry after completion and confirmation of Customs Compliance Verification (CCV) by the designated proper officer and confirmation of duty payment; CCV obligations remain mandatory and operate even while payment is pending, and the facility is limited to RMS enabled ICES locations during initial pilot rollout.

Online module for 72 hrs prior intimation and OTDI submissions mandatory from 11 Feb 2020.
An online module requires DPD importers to submit 72 hours prior intimation for CFS change and to declare or change One Time Default Intimation via the DPD JNCH website, with OTP authentication; only importers with OTDI may submit prior intimation, submissions update in real time and remain for 96 hours from expected vessel arrival, shipping lines must verify module data or OTDI before moving containers and reflect CFS changes in the final IGM.

Sea cargo manifest transhipment regulations: stakeholders must register on ICEGATE and commence testing before implementation.
Implementation of Sea Cargo Manifest Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR) requires stakeholders to register on ICEGATE and participate in a phased testing regime in which new SCMTR message formats will be submitted (in parallel with existing formats) prior to the regulations taking effect. A matrix specifies entity categories and the exact messages/manifests to be filed, with some registrations auto approved and others subject to officer approval and prerequisites such as a National Surety Bond or prior onboarding to specified data-transfer facilities. Separate applications are required for distinct roles; responses to officer queries occur via ICEGATE and paper documents may be produced if needed.

Social Welfare Surcharge must be paid in cash on imports even when customs duties are debited through duty credit scrips.
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) is an additional customs duty calculated on the aggregate of duties, taxes and cesses and is not covered by the duty credit scrip mechanism; debit of Basic or Additional Customs Duty in duty credit scrips does not constitute exemption of SWS. Judicial principle requires specific notification to exempt additional duties, the legal view supports levy of SWS, and while past debits of SWS to scrips will be accepted, SWS must be paid in cash on imports going forward.

Paperless LPCO processing: PGAs must upload digitally signed authorizations on e SANCHIT; beneficiary uploads will be disabled.
Mandatory electronic uploading of digitally signed LPCOs by PGAs on e-SANCHIT via SWIFT is required; four additional PGAs are enabled and beneficiary uploading of previously issued LPCOs will be disabled after the cut-off. PGAs must upload LPCOs issued in the immediate pre-cut-off period and may upload earlier documents to enable beneficiary use. Communication will occur through ICEGATE-registered email addresses using a simplified auto-registration process without digital signatures for e-SANCHIT viewing; beneficiaries must ensure correct ICEGATE email registration.

Registration on ICEGATE required for stakeholders to comply with new sea cargo manifest regulations; testing and format compliance mandated.
Registration on ICEGATE is mandatory for stakeholders to operate under the Sea Cargo Manifest Regulations (SCMTR); applicants must apply from within their ICEGATE login and, if performing multiple roles, apply separately for each entity type. A testing phase requires submission of new-format manifests in parallel with existing formats; a table specifies entity categories, required messages, and specific prerequisites such as National Surety Bond registration and ICEGATE MFTP onboarding. Some registrations are auto-approved while others require officer approval; queries are answered online though additional documents must be provided manually. A checklist and dashboard are provided and a contact is listed for difficulties.

Customs boundary amendment permits expansion and alteration of an inland container depot's customs area under specified Customs Act provisions.
Revised limits of the customs area for The Thar Dry Port, an Inland Container Depot at Pal, Jodhpur, are specified for the North, East, South and West by reference to boundary walls adjoining identified khasra numbers, roads and open spaces. The Custodian sought changes in the boundary wall and an increase in customs area under the Customs Act, 1962, and is authorised to alter the boundary wall of the specified area under regulation 6(I)(n) of the HCCAR, 2009.

Importers and exporters: beneficiary uploads to e-SANCHIT end; PGAs must upload LPCOs and use ICEGATE emails for IRNs.
PGAs are enabled to upload digitally signed Licenses, Permits, Certificates and Other Authorizations (LPCOs) onto the e-SANCHIT platform via SWIFT at all customs locations; from 31.01.2020 beneficiaries cannot upload prior LPCOs, so PGAs must upload LPCOs issued in the preceding 15 days and may upload earlier LPCOs to enable beneficiary use, and PGAs will communicate IRNs and LPCO information to beneficiaries via e-mail addresses registered in ICEGATE.

PGA e-SANCHIT: beneficiary uploads disabled; PGAs must upload LPCOs and ensure correct ICEGATE email communication.
Implementation of PGA e-SANCHIT mandates electronic submission of Licenses/Permits/Certificates/Other Authorizations (LPCOs) by Participating Government Agencies to enable paperless customs processing. Four additional PGAs have been integrated onto the e-SANCHIT platform. The facility for beneficiaries to self-upload previously issued LPCOs will be deactivated from the announced cut-off; PGAs must upload LPCOs issued during the recent pre-cut-off period and ensure correct beneficiary email addresses are recorded in ICEGATE for communication and viewing.

24x7 Customs clearance expanded to extend assessment, examination and laboratory hours to mitigate congestion and delays.
Extended 24x7 operational measures at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House, Nhava Sheva: expansion of working hours for all Assessment Groups, examination officers and Out of Charge procedures at CFSs, and continuous operation of the Customs laboratory to expedite test results. Specific contact persons and telephone numbers are provided for examination and assessment issues, and stakeholders may send feedback by email. The measures are to be treated as a Standing Order for officers.

Social Welfare Surcharge liability affirmed on imports paid via export incentive scrips; surcharge must be paid in cash, past scrip debits preserved.
The notice states that Social Welfare Surcharge is chargeable on imported goods even when Basic and Additional Customs Duties are debited to duty credit scrips under export incentive schemes; debit of SWS through duty credit scrips is not envisaged by the Foreign Trade Policy or exemption notifications, so SWS must be paid in cash going forward, while past debits to scrips will be accepted and not recovered in cash.

Import of gifts via courier prohibited except lifesaving medicines and Rakhi; otherwise gifts admissible only on payment of duties.
Import of goods presented as gifts through post or courier is prohibited except for lifesaving drugs/medicines and Rakhi; such consignments seeking the gift exemption are disallowed but may be imported on payment of full applicable duties as personal imports. Lifesaving drugs and Rakhi remain eligible for the notified exemptions. Instruction 9/2017 is rescinded following amendment removing the personal import value cap, and officers must apply customs valuation rules strictly to prevent undervaluation.

Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations enforcement creates a CCSP Cell to oversee cargo facilities and update commissionerate jurisdiction.
The amendment creates a Customs Cargo Service Provider (CCSP) Cell under the Principal Commissioner of Customs (General) charged with enforcement of the Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations, 2009 in all port terminals, private jetties and wharfs, container freight stations and other facilities related to landing of goods and passengers, by inserting that role into the table of charges in paragraph 4 of the earlier Trade Notice and notifying trade to note jurisdictional changes.

Social Welfare Surcharge applicability affirmed: SWS payable in cash on imports despite duty-credit scrip debits.
SWS is chargeable as an additional customs duty on imported goods and is distinct from Basic and Additional Customs Duty; duty credit scrips are a mode of payment for those duties but do not exempt SWS, which must be paid in cash going forward, although past debits of SWS to scrips will be accepted for earlier transactions.

Paperless LPCO uploads require PGAs to upload recent authorizations; beneficiary uploads deactivated and ICEGATE email registration is mandatory for beneficiaries.
Operational directions require PGAs to upload digitally signed LPCOs to the e-SANCHIT platform and state that beneficiary self-uploading will be deactivated from the specified cut-off; PGAs must upload LPCOs issued during the transitional period and may upload earlier LPCOs to enable use. PGAs must use ICEGATE-registered email addresses for communication and IRN transmission, and implementation issues should be reported to the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (EDI).