FFFAI urges for smooth transactions

The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) has presented their recommendations to the Central Board of Excise & Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India to consider in the Finance Bill 2017-18. Memorandum which was submitted by Amit Kamat, Honorary Secretary, FFFAI included the recommendations that they received from 27 member associations across the country. Major points included in the recommendations are: Sections 15 (1), 28, 30 (3), 54, 60, 68, 69, 74, 111 (D), 110 (2), 149, 154 and SEZ/FTWZ
Highlights of the recommendations are:
• The Concept of linkage between of Section 15 and Section 31 should be done way with to facilitate faster clearance and promote the process of Advance Noting 30 days prior to arrival of a vessel
• In the case of Section 28, where government authority gets two years whereas exporters/importers get only one year to resolve disputes and to claim refunds, it is recommended that the time frame should be the same for both
• Minor amendment should be allowed electronically by a CHA/Importeras per the requirement of Section 30 (3) and satisfaction of a proper officer
• Filing of transshipment permit(as per Section 54) should be allowed electronically
• When the provisions of Section 59 have been complied in any respect of any goods, the proper officer may make an order permitting the deposit of goods in a warehouse. In this case jurisdictional authorities of the warehouse should be able to feed the data of warehousing
• Third country should be allowed for warehousing of goods, for facilitate exporting of imported goods
• In the provision of Section 69, third country should be allowed for warehousing of goods, for facilitate exporting of imported goods
• In respect of Section 74, manual filling of Shipping Bill or Bill of Export should be substituted with EDI
• In view of the introduction of Section 110 (2) pertaining to return of seized goods, Section 110 (2) should be deleted
• Section 111 D should be amended to ‘Restricted Goods’ than ‘Prohibited Goods’, except the items which can harm domestic market
• The scope of Section 149 should be widened with suitable insertion that when there is no fraudulent intention and revenue implication, no fine and penalty be levied under this Section.
• Process should be simplified under Section 154 regarding corrections of clerical mistakes
• SEZ/FTWZ should be synchronised with ICEGATE
• Mandatory participation of custom brokers in post clearance audit should be enhanced.