OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS
(IMPORT)
JAWAHARLAL
NEHRU CUSTOM HOUSE, NHAVA SHEVA.
F.No. S/22-Gen-104/2006 A(M) (I) DATE: NOVEMBER, 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE No.66/2006.
Attention of Custom House Agents and all
concerned is invited to the Public Notices 54 dated05.09.2006 regarding
implementation of Centralized PAN based CHA directory. Following the provision
of access for updation of the directory to the 19
Policy Sections/ CHA sections that are concerned with the 35 ICES locations,
doubts/issues have been raised with regard to the exact procedure for CHA
registration. A list of the issues raised and the suggested
remedies/clarifications is given in the table at Annexure A to this
Public Notice. The correct procedure for registration to be followed by CHAs and Policy Sections is detailed below.
2. The current position in
regard to the status of a CHA’s PAN based
registration can be obtained from the Central PAN based directory. CHAs may obtain these details from the Policy Section by
requesting the retrieval of a ‘Check List’ against their PAN numbers.
Alternatively, the same information can be obtained as a ‘Report’ by entering
the PAN number on the ICEGATE website with the following URL: http://www.icegate.gov.in/CHAReport/index.html.
3. Both the ‘Check List’ and
the ‘Report’ from the URL require the entry of the only 10 digit PAN number.
The Check List/Report has 3 parts to it. The first part provides the CHA
licensing details. The license information includes the following fields:
(i) CHA license number
(ii) Policy Section of Registration
(iii) Registration date
(iv) Validity (expiry) date.
4. It is possible that some CHAs have original licenses issued from more than one
Custom House. CHAs cannot maintain multiple
registrations for operation on an all-India basis, since the centralized
database would require one registration date and one validity date against
their license, which will be valid on an all
5. The second part of
the Check list/Report contains branch particulars and contact particulars. This
will be provided in the report for all licenses. Each branch will be given a 15
digit PAN based registration number, which a CHA can use to file at any ICES
location. CHAs requiring amendment or updation to the branch particulars must make an application
on their letterhead to the Principal Policy Section. Upon receipt of this
letter, the concerned Principal Policy Section must forthwith carry out the
amendment, obtain a print-out of the checklist and issue a letter to the CHA
enclosing the checklist to confirm that the requested changes have been carried
out. CHAs can also ascertain this by checking it out
for themselves on the ICEGATE website.
6. The third part of
the Checklist/Report provides a list of locations where the CHAs’
PAN based registration number is operational and as on that day, the CHA can
operate at all these locations. This part shows the list of locations and the
old CHA number on which the CHA is presently operating (pending implementation
of the PAN based license). This list
indicates that either the CHA is an original registrant at the ICES location or
has obtained a Reg. 9(2) permission to operate at the location. If a CHA does
not find his name in this list, the authorized signatory may make a request on
his letter head at the Principal/Policy section, for inclusion of additional
ICES locations where he intends to transact business. The application should
include the following documentation:
(i) His
current Check-list /Report taken from the ICEGATE website.
(ii) Copy of his License
(iii) Copy of proof of Reg. 9(2) intimation for the site (if it is not
the Original Policy section).
(iv) Copy of a sample signed bill of entry or shipping bill from the ICES
location in question (this will give help the policy section enter the exact
old registration number).
The reference of the old ICES registration number is a must since a link
has to be established in the data base between the PAN based registration
number and Old CHA registration number on ICES.
7. Once the Principal Policy
section is chosen by the CHA, all updation on the
directory shall take place from this Policy Section alone. The updation of intimations under Regulation 9(2) will however
be done in the Policy Section of the location where a CHA intends start
operations on the basis of license issued elsewhere. The validity of the CHA
license will be according to the validity (expiry) date registered in the
Principal License. All Policy Sections must also take note that the Principal
Policy Section must be immediately intimated in writing regarding any change in
the status of a CHA, such as suspension, cancellation or any other proposal
concerning the operation of the CHA license. Needless to say that procedure
established in the CHA LR (2004) is required to be strictly adhered to in this
regard.
8. Annexure B gives
the list of these 19 customs stations given in Column A. Column B of this Annex
gives the list of associated ICES locations where there are no
CHA sections in operation. Registration of Form C under Rule 9(2) of CHA
LR 2004 in the ICES location in column A will imply automatic permission to
operate the
corresponding ICES locations in column B. However,
automatic permission is subject to intimation of old CHA numbers for the ICES
location being registered as described in para 6
above.
9. CHAs seeking to operate in a Custom House must submit a Form C intimation under Reg 9(2) to the Policy Section associated with the Custom house. The respective Policy Sections will then update CHA registration database only to the extent of recording the 9(2) intimation for the Custom House against the PAN number. The entry of Branch addresses and Contact Persons is an independent activity and can be done only at the Principal Policy Section. CHAs who want to update their branch particulars may do so at any point in time at the Principal Policy Sections. While intimation under regulation 9(2) of CHA LR 2004 and its updation in CHA Registration Data Base will be with the respective Custom Houses or associated policy sections, the update of the Branch addresses and the Contact person details will take place only at the Principal Policy section. Therefore, after updating in the system based on Reg. 9(2) intimation, the concerned Policy Sections must send a copy of the intimation to the Principal Policy Section to update the branch addresses and contact person details etc. CHAs may verify the status online and if the necessary updations have not taken place, they may approach their Principal Policy Section get the needful done.
10. CHAs who have licenses issued by non-EDI Custom Houses and who seek to operate at any of the EDI locations under the provisions of Reg. 9(2) of CHALR 2004, would be required to get their licenses registered in the Policy Section of the nearest EDI center, which will be designated as the Principal Policy section for registration and further updation of information. As the registration would be PAN based in the CHA directory, the CHA will have to necessarily provide a copy of PAN along with the other documents for this purpose. The Principal Policy section would carry out the formality of registration by entering all particulars of the CHA and thereafter give the necessary intimation to the non-EDI Centre. The Licensing Policy section in the non-EDI location will thereafter intimate changes in the CHA license status with regard to extension of validity, suspension or any other change in the registration status to that Policy Section. This arrangement will continue until the non-EDI Centre gets covered under EDI. Authorized signatories of such CHAs may therefore apply on their letter heads seeking registration under Reg. 9(2) with intimation to their License issuing Policy Section. The Policy section should forthwith register them on PAN based database with an intimation to the concerned non-EDI Policy section. It is important to note that as an integral part of this registration process, a new PAN based CHA registration number will be generated which will thenceforth replace the CHA number originally assigned by non-EDI location. Both the CHA and the concerned non-EDI location will have to ensure that the documents are filed using the new PAN based number.
11. Custom House Agent and their Associations are requested to give wide publicity to this Public Notice for compliance.
(NAJIB SHAH)
COMMISSIONER
OF CUSTOMS (IMPORT)
J.N.C.H
Annexure A
|
S No. |
Reference No. and Date |
Problem Reported/ Issue
Raised |
Remarks & Suggested Course of action |
|
1. |
C No. VIII(H) |
Policy Branch has not been provided a facility to generate a 15 digit
PAN based number. The software provides for only 10 digits for generating an
online checklist. |
There is a facility for the generation of 15 digit PAN numbers on the
centralized PAN based CHA directory. This directory is centrally hosted.
These numbers can be viewed by the CHA policy section using the menu option
provided in the directory maintenance module in ICES/E. The same list can be
viewed on the web at http://www.icegate.gov.in/CHAReport/index.html.
It is again clarified that CHAs will be able
to use any of their registered 15 digit PAN based CHA numbers for filing at
any location. |
|
2 |
-do- |
CHAs who have registered their PANs in Delhi Air
cargo are being shown as “unregistered” in Tughlakabad,
Patparganj and |
Attention is invited to this office letter of even number dated |
|
4 |
FFFAI/CBEC/050/06 dated |
No clear-cut guidelines or
instructions for each station and branches.
|
The instructions issued from time to time have not been clearly
understood by the CHA and the departmental officers. To clarify the entire
procedure for registration of PAN based CHA directory, a circular is being
issued. (copy enclosed.) |
|
5. |
-do- |
CHA names have been shown as un-registered. |
Refer to clarification at 2 above. The point refers to the website
information which gave the position as on |
|
6 |
-do- |
There are duplicate registrations. What will be done to those licenses once the PAN based registration
comes into being. |
A number of CHAs have more than one license. CHAs who have obtained original licenses at more than one
customs location will have to decide on retaining one of the policy sections
as the “Principal Policy Section”. The remaining registrations/ licenses will
be cancelled in the system and the sites will be treated in the system as
being governed by Regulation 9(2) intimations. NIC is making the software
available to the Custom House Policy sections. The procedure involved is
explained in enclosed circular. |
|
7 |
BCHAA/RRK/306/2006 dated |
Website not showing up to date information Rescheduling of
implementation |
Refer to point number 5 above. Revised schedule of implementation in |
|
8 |
Several emails and representations (from Chennai Custom house, Delhi
custom house, Banagalre Air Cargo, M/s Domino
Cargo, M/s Jayant & co. etc on the inability to
make fresh registrations on the old CHA directory. |
Old CHA Directory has been blocked from updation.
|
While the facility for extending validity dates for existing CHA
registrations have been provided, new CHA registrations and Reg. 9(2) updations have been barred in the old CHA directory and
such CHAs have been permitted to carry out their
transactions in the manual mode. The reason is as follows: The PAN based CHA
directory has been compiled after drawing information from the existing CHA
directories so that the records of transactions carried out in the ICES using
the old CHA registration numbers can be linked-up with the new PAN based
registration numbers. If new records are allowed to be added, the work that
has been done on data compilation will have to be carried out again and a new
PAN based CHA directory will get created. This would imply undoing the entire
work done over the past few months.
The situation will ease with the implementation of the Centralized PAN
based CHA directory, which will be implemented according to schedule given in
|
|
9. |
Ref: F/235A/2006 dated |
CHAs holding more that one license |
Refer to point no. 6 above |
|
10 |
-do- |
Registering a license for a custom house which is not under EDI/
ICEGATE system |
Problems encountered in registering CHAs who
have been given licenses by Custom Houses which are not yet covered under EDI
have been reported. Such CHAs may choose the
nearest Policy Section covered under EDI to register themselves.
The procedure is elaborated in the circular enclosed. |
|
11 |
DCCAA/system/2006- 2007 dated |
Web site is not opening; |
Problems regarding the operation of the website should be reported to
ICEGATE helpdesk at 011-23379020(20 lines). |
|
12 |
Meeting with BCHAA on |
Registration under Reg. 9(2) procedure is different in different
formations |
Documentation, formalities and clearances are different for different
Custom Houses for registration of license and Reg. 9(2) intimation. This matter is being examined and separate
instructions will issue in this regard.
|
|
13 |
-do- |
The CHA LR (2004) has no concept for a Centralized registration. |
The CHA LR (2004) while providing for a nation-wide applicability of
CHA license subject to intimation under Reg 9(2), does not provide for any license numbering system.
Under ICES, a national PAN based numbering system is being implemented. |
|
14 |
-do- |
Whether flat file format for ICEGATE will have to provide new 15 digit PAN based CHA reg. No.? |
Once the new registration database takes over, the flat file BE and Shipping bill messages will be required to contain
the new registration number. NIC has prepared a patch which can be
implemented by the RES users. Even floppy submission and Annexures
to service centers should contain new 15 digit PAN based CHA numbers. CHAs are requested to advise their respective software
vendors to implement the required changes. Changes would come into effect
from the date on which the new directory will be made operational. |
|
15 |
On Email |
In case there is a change in
the constitution of an existing CHA resulting in a change in the PAN number
itself |
The concerned Policy Section may first determine the continued validity of the license and whether the license is to be granted/extended to the new entity. If a license has to be granted to htenew entity, the Policy Section may, in the new PAN based CHA directory, cancel the old license that has ceased to be valid and enter the new PAN as a fresh record in the database. There is no provision in the system for amending PAN numbers of CHAs. |
Annex B: CHA Sections at ICES Locations
|
|
(A)CHA Section |
(B) ICES Locations covered |
|
1 |
New Custom House, |
(1) Air Cargo |
|
2 |
New Custom House Mumbai |
(1) |
|
3 |
Chennai Custom House |
(1) |
|
4 |
Kolkata Custom House |
(1) |
|
5 |
|
(1) |
|
6 |
Goa Custom house |
|
|
7 |
Vizag Custom House |
(1) |
|
8. |
Kandla Custom house |
(1) Kandla port |
|
9. |
Ahmedabad Custom house |
(1) ICD Sabarmati (2) Air Cargo Ahmedabad |
|
10. |
|
(1) Begumpet Air Cargo (2) ICD Sanatnagar |
|
11. |
Tuticorin Customs |
(1) |
|
12 |
Jaipur Custom house |
(1) Jaipur ICD Rajsico |
|
13. |
|
(1) ICD Pitampur |
|
14. |
Raxaul LCS |
(1) Raxaul LCS |
|
15. |
Cochin Custom house |
(1) |
|
16. |
|
(1) Trivendrum ACC |
|
17. |
Mangalore Custom House |
(1) New |
|
18 |
|
(1) Mundhra port |
|
19 |
Pitampur ICD |
(1) Pithampur ICD |