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Procedures for consolidation of cargo at the gateway port
Circular No. 22
dated 17th April 2001
The undersigned is directed to refer to
Circular No.55/ 2000-Cus., dated 30.6.2000 as amended by Circular No.67/
2000-Cus., dated 17.8.2000 regarding consolidation of LCL cargo at the gateway
ports. In the said Circular, it has been provided in para 3(x) that containers
carrying the LCL cargoes from the ICDs/ CFSs to gateway ports may be used to
bring back LCL import cargo from the gateway ports to ICDs/ CFSs. In this
connection, doubts have been raised as to whether the said Circular is
applicable for consolidation of imported LCL cargo and its subsequent
transhipment from the gateway ports to ICDs/ CFSs in view of the fact that the
Circular does not provide a procedure for the same. It has also been pointed out
that the said Circular does not provide a procedure for filing of EGM in respect
of consolidation of export cargo in terms of the said Circular.
2. The matter has
been examined by the Board. The Goods imported (Conditions of Transhipment)
Regulations, 1995 allow transhipment of import Cargo from gateway ports to ICDs/
CFSs. It does not debar the further movement of cargo even if it is brought in
and de-stuffed from LCL containers after landing and re-stuffed in other
containers for particular ICDs/ CFSs. What is essential is that suitable
procedure must be followed for transhipment of each such consignment and there
is proper accountal of each consignment moved in such re-stuffed containers from
Gateway ports and their receipt at ICDs, etc. It has therefore been decided that
the LCL cargo, received for various destinations at Gateway ports, after
de-stuffing and consolidation at the gateway ports (or at a CFS near gateway
port), for each destination shall be allowed to be transhipped from the gateway
ports to particular ICDs/ CFSs in the same manner as other cargo, if all the
formalities of the said Regulations have been complied with. For sake of
uniformity a procedure for consolidation of LCL cargo at the gateway port or a
CFS near gateway port and subsequent transhipment to inland ICDs/ CFSs has also
been drawn out and para (x) of the said Circular shall be substituted as
follows:
�(x) Custodians may, thereafter, use
the same containers to bring back LCL imports to various ICDs/ CFSs. As regards
consolidation of imported LCL cargo at the gateway port (or a CFS near gateway
port) and subsequent transhipment to inland ICDs/ CFSs, following procedure
shall be followed.
a) On arrival of the
LCL (Imports) cargo (meant for ICDs/ CFSs) at the Gateway Port the concerned
shipping line shall file the I.G.M. with the Customs as the vogue;
b) The de-stuffing
and consolidation of the LCL (Import) cargo ICD/ CFS wise will be done at the
earmarked space under supervision of the Customs and surveyors of the
custodians;
c) After
consolidation of LCL cargo (ICD/ CFS wise), the custodian at the Gateway Port
will prepare a tally list showing details of the import consignments, the
previous container number, IGM No. and the details of the new container and the
shipping line will file Sub-IGMs for all LCL (Import) cargo IGM wise. Wherever
the packages/ goods are found to be damaged during de-stuffing, storing and
consolidating a suitable remark to this effect should be recorded on the tally
list, which then should be signed by the Customs, Surveyor, Custodian and the
shipping line;
d) After acceptance
of sub-IGM by the Customs, the LCL (Import) cargo ICD/ CFS wise will be
re-stuffed in empty containers in the presence of custodian at the Gateway Port
and the shipping line. The containers so, re-stuffed will be sealed by the
custodian as per procedure in vogue. The sub-IGM should mention the details of
the new bottle seal and should also be accompanied with the Surveyor�s report;
e) For transhipment
of re-stuffed LCL (Import) cargo in new containers for different destinations,
the concerned shipping line shall follow procedure in vogue in terms of the
Goods Imported (Conditions of Transhipment) Regulations, 1995. After completion
of Customs formalities and clearance of LCL (Import) cargo at the respective
ICDs/ CFSs, a copy of the sub-IGM will be sent back to the Customs authorities
at the Gateway Port for confirmation/ closure of IGM.�
3. As regards filling
of EGM for consolidation of export cargo in terms of circular No.55/ 2000-Cus.,
dated 30.6.2000, it is to be noted that filing of EGM is a statutory requirement
under the Customs Act, 1962. The EGM needs to be filed even if the said Circular
does not specifically provides for the same. For this purpose, the existing
procedure for filing of EGM in respect of FCL cargo originating from ICDs/ CFSs
may be followed in respect of LCL cargo.
4. These instructions
may be brought to the notice of all concerned by way of issuance of suitable
Public Notice/ Standing Orders.
5.
Difficulties, if any, in implementation of these instructions, may be
brought to the notice of the Board. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this Circular.
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