PUBLIC NOTICE NO.  45/2001

 [AMENDMENT TO P.N. NO. 148/2000 & 149/2000]

[Issued under clause b of section 8 of Customs Act, 1962]

 

--------------------

 

Sub:     Amendment in the declared “CUSTOMS AREA” – Declaration  of M/s.Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Chennai as Container Freight station for handling of LCL Import cargo – Procedures to be followed – Instructions – regarding.

 

* * * * *

 

            Attention of the Steamer Agents, Importers, Exporters and their representatives [Custom House Agents] is invited to this Custom House Public Notices Nos.148 / 2000 dated 19.04.2000 and 149 / 2000 datd 15.05.2000 declaring M/s. Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., situated at Manali, Chennai – 600 068 having a total area of 10.2 acres with a covered warehouse of 40235 Sq.Ft. [15000 Sq.ft. for storing Import cargo and 25235 Sq.ft. for storing Export cargo] as “CUSTOMS AREA”  for handling of import and export cargo [other than LCL cargo and Passenger’s unaccompanied baggage].

 

            On re-measurement of the existing declared covered warehouse, the actual area of the shed found to be 33488 Sq.ft. only in lieu of the declared total area of 40235 Sq. ft.  As such the notified “CUSTOMS AREA” of the said CFS may be read as: “ 10.2 acres with a covered warehouse of 33488 Sq. ft.”

 

            Further, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 8[b] of the Customs Act, 1962, an area of 8723 sq. feet out of 33488 sq. feet covered shed at M/s. Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd.,  is declared as “CUSTOMS AREA” for the purpose of handling of IMPORT LCL cargo.

 

            With the introduction of handling of Import and Export LCL cargo at M/s. Balmer Lawrie & co. Ltd., Chennai, the following partial modification is made to P.N. 149/2000.

 

Out of 33488 Sq. feet covered shed:

 

a)      2379 Sq.ft. for storing Import FCL cargo;

b)      22386 Sq. ft. for storing cargo meant for export;

c)      8723 Sq. feet for Import LCL cargo within which 125 Sq.ft. office room and 100 Sq. ft. room for storing sensitive cargo with Lock – fast facility is available.

 

The procedures for dealing with Import LCL cargo are detailed hereunder:

 

1.         Containers containing LCL import cargo may be allowed to be moved from Chennai Port to the CFS M/s. Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Chennai,   by the Steamer Agents after getting permission from Dy. / Asst. Commissioner of Customs [Docks] as prescribed in P.N.19/98 and allowed to be destuffed at the CFS by the Steamer agents concerned, in the presence of their representative under Custom’s supervision.

 

2.                  A tally should be taken with reference to the concerned import manifests and line numbers and entered in a separate register to be maintained at the CFS according to container number-wise and to be endorsed suitably, individually by the representative of the custodians, Steamer agents and the Preventive Officer [Customs] on duty.

 

3.                  In case of any shortage noticed at the time of destuffing at the CFS, such shortages should be recorded by the Steamer Agents in their records and in the registers maintained by the Custodian and the Preventive Officer and the Steamer Agents become responsible for the shortages.

 

4.                  If any shortage/pilferage takes place after taking over of the cargo by the CFS, then the CFS as a ‘custodian’ of the cargo, is responsible for any claim to be preferred by the Importers / their representatives [CHA] for such loss / shortage / pilferage. Similarly the CFS as a ‘custodian’ of the cargo is liable for payment of duty under sub section [3] of section 45 of the Customs Act, 1962.

 

5.         The destuffed Import LCL cargo should be stacked in the respective godown according to Import General Manifest / line number, container number-wise.  The cargo should be kept according to ‘marks and numbers’ on the packages for easy identification and examination purpose. Separate godowns should be provided for LCL and FCL cargo.

 

6.                  The sensitive cargo should be kept in the lock – fast area declared for the purpose to avoid pilferage.

 

7.                  In case of unclaimed / uncleared / abandoned cargo, the CFS as custodian of the cargo should follow the statutory provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 towards the disposal of these unclaimed cargo.

 

8.                  The CFS should send weekly statement to the Asst. Commissioner of Customs [Docks] showing the details such as, number of LCL containers [with container numbers], date of destuffing / receipt, Name of the vessel, IGM No., Line No., No. of packages cleared, No. of packages pending clearance, Name of the Importers and other relevant particulars.

 

            The movement of LCL cargo to the CFS is an optional facility available to the trading public and is in addition to the existing arrangements available in Port Area, M/s. Container Corporation of India Ltd., Chennai, M/s. CWC, Virugambakkam and M/s. Sical CWT Distriparks Ltd., Chennai.

                       

The above procedure comes into effect from 15.03.2001 and shall remain in force until further orders.                                                                                                    

 

F.No.S58/40/95-Ap. Enq.,                                                                                                              Sd/-

Custom House, Chennai – 1.                                                                                             [M.V.S. PRASAD]

Dated: 08.03.2001.                                                                                            COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS [SEA]

 

 

// Attested //

 

 

[T.S.JAYACHANDAR]
ASST. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS [APPG]