Circular No. 29/2018-Customs Dated 30/08/2018
Pilot Implementation of Paperless Processing under SWIFT-Uploading of Supporting Documents (eSANCHIT) in Exports.
Successful implementation of
Paperless Processing/eSANCHIT under Single Window Interface for Facilitation of
Trade in case of Imports has been acclaimed by all stakeholders. Now with the
objective of reducing physical interface between Customs/regulatory agencies &
the trade and to increase the speed of clearance in Exports, it is proposed to
introduce a facility to upload digitally signed supporting documents on a pilot
basis at Air Cargo complex. New Delhi and Chennai Customs House. The pilot will
cover all types of exports under ICES. After the completion of the pilot, the
facility will be extended to all ICES locations. On a voluntary basis, members
of the trade may use this facility to upload the supporting documents concerning
Shipping Bills that may be filed on or after 01.09.2018. After 15 days of the
launch of the facility, a review will be carried out, and thereafter, it will be
introduced as a mandatory requirement. For this pilot, the following procedure
will apply:
Uploading supporting documents
2. The procedure for eSANCHIT on the export side is similar to the one
prescribed for eSANCHIT in imports vide Circular No. 40/2017 dated 13.10.2017.
Briefly, salient features are described as below: -
2.1 For uploading supporting documents on ICEGATE, the authorized persons must
Open ICEGATE URL httgs://www.icegate.gov.in/, click on Login/Signup button for
login into ICEGATE by using his/her access credentials and then click on
eSANCHIT link provided in left vertical menu to redirect on eSANCHIT. The
step-by-step procedure for upload of supporting documents is also provided on
the ICEGATE website. While preparing a job for submission on ICEGATE in their
respective Remote EDI Systems (RES), the authorized persons must ensure that
they have uploaded all the necessary supporting documents. A facility has also
been provided on ICEGATE to the authorized persons to access and view the
documents uploaded by them.
2.2. In case the authorized person seeks to provide a document after the
generation of the Shipping Bill number, he/she may first upload the document on
ICEGATE, obtain a unique ID Image Reference number (IRN) for the document and
link that document with the corresponding Shipping Bill by submitting an
amendment at the Service Centre. This procedure will also apply when the
authorized person submits a document in response to a query raised by Customs
for a Shipping Bill.
Assessment & Document Verification
2.3. Once a Shipping Bill has been filed. Customs officers will be able to
access the uploaded electronic versions of supporting documents while viewing or
assessing the Shipping Bill on ICES. During assessment, ICES provides for a
query to be raised in order to call for additional documents or information. In
response to a query, supporting documents can be uploaded online by following
the procedure described in para 2.2 above. All documents required for the
purposes of assessment would be viewed online. In due course, the facility to
view supporting documents will also be extended to officers of the Participating
Government Agencies (PGAs).
Goods Registration, Examination & Let Export Order (LEO)
2.4. After filing of the Shipping Bilk the authorized person (e.g.
Exporter/Customs Broker) may with his self—assessed copy of the Shipping Bill,
approach the designated place for goods registration, document verification and
LEO. In case goods are to be examined, the officer examining goods may record
the results of inspection/examination online on ICES.
Other features to be Pilot-tested
4. In consultation with the stakeholders, in the course of the pilot, the
following features will be taken-up for pilot-testing:
(a) Upload of supporting documents for Shipping Bills which
are filed through the Service Centers.
(b) Presently, electronic copies of Let Export Orders and
assessed copies of Shipping Bills are delivered online to the Custodians and
authorized persons. In the course
of the pilot, digital signatures will
be applied on these messages and not copies of Shipping Bills.
5. The Shipping Bill (Electronic Integrated Declaration) Regulation, 2011,
provide for the authorized person to submit digitally signed electronic
integrated declarations (Shipping Bills) and supporting documents and dispenses
with the need for trade to submit the corresponding hardcopies. The Regulations
also provide that the authorized person shall retain, for a period of 5 years
from the date of acceptance of the Shipping Bill, all supporting documents in
original, which were used or relied upon by him in submitting the electronic
integrated declaration, and shall produce them before Customs or other
Government agencies in connection with any action or proceedings under the
Customs Act 1962 or any other law for the time being in force.
6. Chief Commissioners of Customs Delhi and Chennai are requested to issue
public notices. To facilitate smooth roll out of pilot, feedback and queries may
be addressed by email to babulalmeena.irs@gov.in and nsm.ices@icegate.gov.in.
References in hardcopy may be sent to Commissioner (Single Window), HUDCO
Vishala Building, B — Wing, Bhikaji Cama Place, R.K. Puram, New Delhi — 110066.
Yours sincerely.
(Maninder Kumar)
OSD (Cus IV
1 Refer Vide Circular No. 43/2018-Customs Dated 08/11/2018