"15"

                                                                       pib.nic.in
                       PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
                         GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
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   CHAIRMAN, CBEC AWARDS AEO CERTIFICATES AND LAUNCHES
        CBEC'S INTERACTIVE CUSTOMS TARIFF WEBSITE

                                                 New Delhi: Ashadha 27, 1934
                                                                July 18, 2012


     India   has   developed   an   Authorized   Economic   Operator    (AEO)
Programme consistent with World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE
Framework of Standards. The trade supply chain has become extremely
complicated and vulnerable to external threats which led to an urgent need
to have a system that ensures end to end supply chain security while
ensuring faster release of goods. Authorized Economic Operator Programme
has been developed by the WCO to standardize the procedure for this
programme. Many Customs administrations globally have also adopted the
same or similar programmes to ensure supply chain security.






     AEO Programme is an effective tool for Customs to Business
Partnership towards a common objective of securing supply chain. Under
AEO Programme, approved economic operators are given preferential
treatment in terms of faster clearance and less physical inspections along
with other benefits subject to their conformance of prescribed security
standards and compliance with tax laws.

     The development of Indian AEO Programme was started on plot basis
in August 2011 and is applicable to all economic operators such as
Importers, Exporters, Logistic service providers, Customs House Agents,
Warehouse owners etc.,.    There is also no threshold limit prescribed for
eligibility under AEO Programme which would enable any player in the
global supply chain including SMEs to apply to get certification under this
Programme.

        The pilot project completed after a thorough verification process has
identified three entities which have been found compliant for grant of AEO
Certification. In a function held at New Customs House at Delhi M/S IBM,
M/S LG Electronics and M/S Ennore Container Terminal were awarded the
AEO certificates by Chairman, CBEC.              The CBEC is sure that the
commitment of these companies who have volunteered for this programme
will provide an impetus to other operators to seek similar certification in
future. Indian Customs is also committed to enhancing outreach of this
Programme. Trade associations are requested to give wide publicity to this
Programme and contribute meaningfully and substantially to foster
Customs Business partnership for mutual benefits.

        It is envisaged that in the near future Indian Customs will seek to
enter    into   Mutual    Recognition       Agreements   with   other   Customs
administrations for mutual recognition of our AEO programme.            This will
yield significant benefit to our traders.

        CBEC has developed an "Interactive Customs Tariff" application as
part of the ongoing trade facilitative measures which was also launched
today by Chairman, CBEC.






        The purpose of the application is to enhance public access to
information on duty payment and other regulatory requirements for
clearance of goods, when imported into India. The application is designed to
show various customs and other applicable duties. It helps the importers in
calculation of actual effective duty applicable by taking into account the
various exemption notifications. It also provides alerts related to anti-
dumping duties and MRP based abatements and displays Compulsory
Compliance Requirements (CCRs).
      It is envisaged that the Customs Interactive Tariff would assist the
trade in understanding the statutory and other regulatory requirements for
clearance of goods and usher greater transparency in the functioning of the
Customs department. The department would be making all efforts to
constantly address any issues that may arise in using this website in order
to improve user experience.

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