Custom Circular No. 21 dated 4^th April 2002

I am directed to invite your attention to Board's letter of even No. dated 04.12.2001 on the subject mentioned above. It may be noted that among other things, notification S.O. 982 (E), dated 01.10.2001 issued by the Jute Commissioner, directs the importers to comply with certain requirements regarding printing / marking etc. of imported jute bags / packed bale containing raw jute or jute products. The Jute Commissioner has also issued another notification [S.O.828 (E) dated 28.8.2001 - copy enclosed] directing that the content of Non-halogenated Hydrocarbon (Jute Batching Oil) on dry deoiled basis in the jute goods for packaging purposes in India shall not exceed 3% by weight.

2.     The matter regarding customs clearance of such goods has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Textiles. The Ministry of Textiles have clarified that manufacture / use of jute bags / products containing Jute Batching Oil (JBO) in excess of 3% by weight is banned in India and the ban will apply to imported bags also. It is expected that before import of such goods a certificate from the authorised inspection agency in the country of manufacture (national or international agency authorised by that government to certify such quality standards) should be obtained and they have to be produced by the importer at the time of customs clearance. If such certificates are not produced, the goods may be cleared by the Customs only after necessary inspections are made by the authorised agencies of the Government of India for the purpose of testing Jute Batching Oil (JBO) in India. Bags which do not confirm to the specification will have to be returned / destroyed. Insofar as printing of country of origin in the imported jute bags / jute products is concerned, the Ministry of Textiles have clarified that such bags which are not printed as per Jute Commissioners notification dated 01.10.2001 will have to be got printed by the importer before clearing the goods. Fine and penalty can be realised provided that the stipulated conditions are met and not in relaxation of the same.

3.     The Custom Houses may kindly take note of the above instructions and ensure that such goods are cleared only after the requisite conditions have been satisfied.

MINISTRY OF TEXTILES

OFFICE OF THE JUTE COMMISSIONER

ORDER

Kolkata, the 1^st October 2001

S.O.828 (E): Whereas, the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest vide G.S.R.457 (E) dated 4^th October, 1996 imposed certain restrictions for the use of Non-halogenated hydrocarbons in the manufacture of Hessian and Sackings; therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by clauses 4 and 6 of the Jute and Jute Textiles Control Order, 2000, I, A.K. Kapas, Jute Commissioner, hereby direct that content of Non-halogenated Hydrocarbon (Jute Batching Oil) on dry de-oiled basis in the jute goods for packaging purposes in India shall not exceed 3% by weight.

I further direct that no person shall manufacture and/ or hold stock of jute goods meant for packaging purposes having more than 3% Non-halogenated hydrocarbons (Jute Batching Oil) by weight.

Any person who contravenes the above order shall be punishable under section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

This notification shall take effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette.

MINISTRY OF TEXTILES

OFFICE OF THE JUTE COMMISSIONER

NOTIFICATION

Kolkata, the 1^st October 2001

S.O.982 (E): Pursuant to clause 4 of the Jute and Jute Textiles Control Order, 2000, the Jute Commissioner hereby directs all the manufacturers, importers, processors, traders of jute and jute textiles to mark/ print/ brand the items of jute and jute textiles mentioned in column (2) of the table below with the corresponding words specified in the column (3).

The aforesaid direction will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette and will be valid until further orders.