CBIC draws plans for cargo evacuation post-lockdown

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SME Times News Bureau | 28 Apr, 2020
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is drawing up plans for systematic evacuation of cargo, as and when the goods transportation gets normal post-lockdown.

In a letter to officers and other employees dated April 27, CBIC Chairman M. Ajit Kumar said, "The foreseeable future is likely to see transportation of goods move towards near normalcy. The surge for clearance of containers on the grant of 'out of charge' (OOC) should not catch us unawares at any of seaports, airports, inland container depots (ICDs) or container freight station (CFSs)."

Calling for a contingency plan for systematic evacuation of cargo without traffic snarlups at the port or in the city, Kumar said the Zonal Chief Commissioners might like to set up special team under an ADC or JC and make them go through the drill to meet any eventuality. "The active involvement of the port authorities may also be required right away," he said.

The department had expeditiously cleared refund, drawback claims during the special refund drive, he said.

The board had processed around 300,000 refund applications of GST, customs and drawback claims, leading to sanction of Rs 10,733 crore in 15 days since April 8, he said and added, it would provide immediate relief and liquidity to business entities, especially MSMEs.

Kumar said the CBIC's intelligence units and field formations had continued to thwart attempts to evade duty or smuggle goods and it was evident from major cases booked last week.

The Delhi zonal unit of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has filed a case involving non-payment of IGST on free-of-cost import of software by a major IT firm, whose sister company is based abroad, and recovered Rs 22.68 crore duty for July 2017 to March 2020.

Similarly, the Lucknow zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has prohibited goods of a syndicate indulging in import of grossly overvalued fragrance oil (perfumery compound), storing them in duty-free warehouses or SEZs without payment of duty and exporting them directly or through front or dummy companies.

"Investigations have revealed almost Rs 5,500 crore foreign exchange component in this carousel fraud. The extent of overvaluation is more than 100 times. Goods having a declared value of more than Rs 150 crore, relating to the firms involved, have been seized. Further investigation is in progress," the letter read.

The Chennai Air Customs during its vigil at the foreign post office narrowed on a parcel that had arrived from the USA and was destined to the East Godavari district. 1.7 kg cannabis of foreign origin worth Rs 9 lakh was found concealed in sleeping bags in the carton and was seized under the NDPS Act, 1985, it said.