TRADE FACILITATION MEASURES DURING OUTBREAK OF COVID-19

S.No.	Circular/Instruction/Notification No.	Subject	Measures Taken
1.	Instruction no. 02/2020-Customs; dated 20-02-2020	24*7 Customs clearance	24×7 custom clearance facility has been implemented at all custom formations to avoid any supply chain disruption
2.	https://icegate.gov.in/coronavirus-tradehelp/	Novel Coronavirus Help Desk for EXIM Trade	A dedicated single window COVID-19 helpdesk for EXIM trade has been created on the CBIC website to facilitate quick resolution of issue(s) faced by importer/exporter.
3.	Nodal officers from CBIC Customs Zones for facilitating Customs clearances amidst the Covid-19 crisis	Nodal officers from CBIC Customs Zones for facilitating Customs clearances amidst the Covid-19 crisis	A nodal officer has been designated in each customs zone of India who can be approached for any issue pertaining to the clearance of cargo.
4.	Circular No.15/2020-Customs; dt 28-02-2020	Implementation of automated clearance on All-India basis	To minimize human interface and maximize social distancing, the OOC (Out of Charge) work, so far performed by an officer, has been assigned to the EDI system. The machine-based automated release of import consignments has been launched throughout India on 05.03.2020.
5.	Circular No. 17/2020-Customs-dt 03.04.2020	Measure to facilitate trade during the lockdown period – section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962 -Requirement of different types of customs bond has been dispensed with.	To address the difficulties faced due to the non-availability of stamp papers during the lock-down period, the requirement of different types of customs bonds has been dispensed with. Traders can submit an undertaking on plain paper in lieu of a bond.
6.	Notification No. 20/2020– Customs; dt 09-04-2020	Exemption of customs duty on ventilators, personal protection equipment, COVID-19 testing kits, and inputs for these goods.	Prioritized clearance of critical goods used for fighting COVID-19, such as medical equipment, drugs, and pharmaceuticals, testing kits, PPEs, is ensured. Exemption from basic customs duty and health cess has been granted to such goods- ventilators, masks, personal protection equipment, testing kits, and inputs used in manufacturing these items.
7.	Circular no. 18/2020-Customs dt.11-04-2020	Clearance of goods under India’s Trade Agreements without the original Certificate of Origin.	Provisional clearance of goods while extending preferential treatment, without the submission of originally signed certificates of origin.
8.	Circular no. 19/2020-Customs dt.13-04-2020	Paperless Customs – Electronic Communication of PDF-based Gate-pass and OOC Copy of Bill of Entry to Custom Brokers/Importers	Enabling electronic communication of out of charge, bill of entry, and gate-pass to importers/customs brokers.
9.	Instruction no. 04/2020-Customs; dt 27-04-2020	Guidelines for the conduct of personal hearings in the virtual mode under Customs ACT, 1962	Personal hearing in respect of any proceeding under Customs Act, 1962 may be conducted through video conferencing with a view to ensure social distancing and reduce physical presence.
10.	Instruction no. 03/2020-Customs; dt 09-04-2020	Special refund and drawback disposal drive.	Drive to expeditiously process all pending customs refund and drawback claims in order to provide immediate relief to business entities, especially MSMEs.
11.	Circular No.22/2020-Customs; dt 21-04-2020	IGST refunds on exports-extension in SB005 alternate mechanism-	Extension of the facility of SB005 error correction in the Customs EDI system for Shipping Bills with a date up to 31.12.2019.
12.	Letter 23.04.2020	Waiver of Demurrage Charges levied by ICDs/CFSs/Ports/Terminal Operators during the lockdown.	Zonal Customs Chief Commissioners have asked local custodians (Inland Container Depots and Container Freight Stations) to exempt demurrage charges during the lockdown period.
13.	http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/218979.pdf	An Ordinance to provide relaxation in the provisions of certain Acts and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto	The time limit for filing of an appeal, furnishing of return, or any other compliance under the Customs Act or Customs Tariff Act, which was expiring from 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020, has been extended up to 30th June 2020.

As a relief measure for other countries battling with the pandemic, specific export shipments of critical drugs, pharmaceuticals, testing kits, personal protection equipment, etc. are actively facilitated by customs at the borders. Some of these shipments are a donation from the Government of India.

Based on email requisitions, computers and related accessories have been permitted by Customs to be transferred from the bonded premises to the residence of employees of Software Technology Park of India to facilitate work from home during the lockdown period.

CBIC actively coordinated with other Ministries for ensuring that customs operations are declared as an essential service during the lockdown period, which has allowed smooth operations at all the customs stations. In line with the aforesaid, further directives were issued permitting movement of customs brokers and transporters and allowing the functioning of warehouses during the lockdown period.

CBIC actively coordinated with other Ministries for ensuring that customs operations are declared as an essential service during the lockdown period, which has allowed smooth operations at all the customs stations. In line with the aforesaid, further directives were issued permitting movement of customs brokers and transporters and allowing the functioning of warehouses during the lockdown period. All customs formations have been asked to show greater sensitivity in dealing with cargo from affected areas, condone the delay in filing import declarations, and waive the late filing fees in genuine cases.

Special care has been taken in the clearance of passengers coming from affected countries. Separate channels were created at the airports, port terminals, and land customs stations for such passengers. Customs officers strictly followed instructions to use masks, gloves, and sanitizers.

CBIC has coordinated with the port and airport authorities and other custodians to see that ample space is available for storing EXIM cargo in the customs area.