Self sealing and power to central excise officer at the place of despatch

[Narendra Soni]

Dear Expert,

1.We have factory stuffing permission, Can we also opt for self sealing procedure simultaneously.Should we required to surrender our factory stuffing permission if opt for self sealing.

2.Whether central excise department has power to visit randomly and check container stuffing under self sealing & self certification.In this regard please refer Board circular no.426/59/98-CX dated 12.10.1998 in Para 5-duty of central excise officer at the place of despatch.Is it applicable/effective as on date.

Kindly suggest.

AI Summary

Self-sealing and self-certification: exporters may use both without surrendering factory stuffing permission; inspections remain possible.
Self-sealing and self-certification are permitted for manufacturer-exporters and may be used alongside factory stuffing permission without requiring its surrender; authorised senior employees must certify packing and sealing on ARE forms. The departmental instructions state that examination and sealing at the place of dispatch by central excise officers is optional, while Customs will examine self-sealed consignments at the port under prescribed norms. Subsequent circulars reference the manner of sample drawing in the earlier circular, leading practitioners to conclude that central excise may draw samples and inspect consignments at dispatch under the cited procedures.