Introduction

Merchant overtime fee enables Customs services outside normal hours or areas upon payment, covering urgent clearances like perishables.

Merchant overtime fee is payable where importers request Customs presence or supervision beyond normal working hours, on holidays within a Customs area, or at places beyond the Customs area; it covers services like unloading/loading, container stuffing/de-stuffing, cargo examination, and officer posting for urgent consignments such as perishables or lifesaving drugs, and its collection and rates are governed by the statutory fee-authorising provisions and implementing regulations.