India Simplifies Customs Procedures for Exports to Bangladesh

The CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) has eased customs measures to enable the export of goods to Bangladesh via inland waterways. Radio frequency identification (RFID) seals are planned to be used to ensure that containers are not tampered with when they are shifted to a vessel for shipment through waterways, after being cleared at a customs facility in India according to a circular from the CBIC. The indirect tax authority stated that the exports will be cleared at an ICD (Inland Container Depot) for rail and road transport to the gateway port in Kolkata or Haldia and further to Bangladesh utilizing the inland waterways and all these transport of goods will be fool-proof using RFID seal.

The CBIC circular explains the detailed process, first, the exporters will get the goods to the ICD and file the mandatory documents, and then the containers will be sealed with an RFID e-seal (foolproof).  The e-seal will have all relevant info about the shipment and the exporter then the container will be moved to the gateway port where the customs officials will check the RFID e-seals and also for tampering. In cases, where RFID is found tampered with, that container will be checked thoroughly and if the goods are found intact, then the consignment shall be allowed for further movement. However, if there is any discrepancy in the order, the issue shall be brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner of the ICD from where the goods had been cleared for export.