Customs’ SWIFT 

Customs’ SWIFT 

Subject : Economy

Context:

The government is now planning to introduce a single window clearance system for exports.

Details:

• It is planned to create a  web-based registration of goods, including from special economic zones.
• It would facilitate integration of Customs ICEGATE with other regulatory agencies to ensure faster clearances for export consignments.
• It would eliminate the need for any broker or exporter to actually travel to a port to submit their documents to customs for initiating processes.

Concept:

Customs’ SWIFT (Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade) Clearances Project:

• It has been launched by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC)
• It is an initiative to speed up customs clearances for consignments and improve ‘ease of doing business.
• The ‘India Customs Single Window’  enables importers/exporters to file a common electronic ‘Integrated Declaration’ on the Indian Customs Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data Interchange (EC/EDI) Gateway i.e. ICEGATE portal.
  • Thus, it would allow importers and exporters, the facility to lodge their clearance documents online at a single point only.
• Required permissions, if any, from other regulatory agencies would be obtained online without the trader having to approach these agencies.
  • The Integrated Declaration compiles the information requirements of Customs, FSSAI, Plant Quarantine, Animal Quarantine, Drug Controller, WildLife Control Bureau and Textile Committee. It replaces nine separate forms required by these 6 different agencies and Customs.
    • These are the major import regulatory agencies in India which are involved in issuing clearances or “No Objection Certificates” for live consignments i.e. post import.
• How will SWIFT help:
  • It will provide a single point interface for clearance of import goods.
  • Replaces 9 separate documents with one Integrated Customs Electronic Declaration
  • Facilitates trade by reducing Dwell Time & improving Ease of Doing Business
  • Reduces Documentation & Cost of Clearance
  • Brings 6 participating Government agencies on a single platform
  • Eliminates the need for tax-payers to interact separately with these agencies.

Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE)

• It is the national Customs portal of CBIC that provides e-filing services to  the trade and cargo carriers and other clients of the Customs Department (collectively called Trading Partner).
• Services include-electronic filing of the Bill of Entry (import goods declaration), Shipping Bills (export goods declaration), e-payment of Customs Duty, Common Signer utility for signing all the Customs Documents.