Government of India
Office of the Commissioner of Customs
Custom House, 15/1 Strand Road, Calcutta

Public Notice No. 41/2000
Dated 12/06/2000

Sub : Revised procedure for documentation and container operation / movement in Calcutta Port.    

    On representation from the Calcutta Clearing Agents' Association and the Chambers that considerable time is consumed in obtaining permission from the Customs for the removal of loaded containers in filing an application with the Container Cell and Appraising General Unit for signature verification and that such procedure is dispensable in view of container bond and guarantee being already furnished by Steamer Agents, the matter has been examined in depth with reference to the practice prevailing at other ports.

    It has now been decided that the existing procedure shall be modified so as to ensure that the trade does not face any difficulty in clearing  imported consignments in containers at the fag end of the day or on holidays and also to avoid delay.

    In partial modification of P/N No. 149/97 dt. 12.9.97, the following procedure is to be followed:-

1.    Appraising General Unit while receiving Container Removal Application (CRA) for verification of signature of CHA will henceforth mention date and time of receipt of the CRA. All formalities in the Appraising General Unit and Container Cell of Preventive Deptt. are to be completed with two hours of submission of CRAs in Custom House. Specific cases where delay has occurred should be immediately brought to the notice of D.C.(AI)/SPS depending upon where the CRA is lying. In cases where CRA's are not processed within two hours, D.C.(AI) / SPS or any other officer as directed by them will allow provisional removal of containers pending verification by the respective unit.

2.    In cases where signature verification work or processing by Preventive Deptt. can't be completed by 4:00 PM on Fridays and/or prior to any other Holiday/s, D.C.(AI)/SPS will grant provisional approval/permission for removal of containers on Holidays pending regular verification/processing on the next working day.

3.    On Saturday, SCPs posted in Preventive Container Cell (which remain open on all Saturdays) will allow provisional removal of containers pending verification of signature by Appraising General Unit on the next working day. Importers/CHAs can also directly approach the A.C./D.C.s posted in the Docks for obtaining such permission. Such applications are to be submitted in the Custom House, positively on the next working day for regularisation, without fail by CHAs/Importers.

4.    Signature of the Importers on the CRAs submitted by CHAs shall henceforth not be necessary and 'No Objection' of Steamer Agent or a xerox copy of authorisation from Steamer Agent will suffice.

                                                                        sd/-

                                                                                                          ( A. K. Raha )
                                                           Commissioner of Customs (Port) 
                                                                Custom House, Calcutta
F.No.S37-13(Misc)/2000P
Dated: 12.06.2000