E-PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS DUTY MADE MANDATORY
In order to further reduce transaction cost of the importers and as a trade facilitation measure, it
has been decided to make e-payment mandatory for importers registered under Accredited Clients
Programme and importers paying customs duty of one lakhs rupees or more per Bill of Entry with
effect from 17.09.2012.
Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) has issued instructions advising all the Chief
Commissioners of Customs to give wide publicity to enable trade to be ready in case any change in
their software or any internal procedure for effecting e-payment is required. As a large number of
taxpayers would be required to pay the taxes electronically, it is requested that importers, trade and
industry may be provided all assistance so as to help them in adopting the new procedure.
E-payment is advantageous to tax payers as well as the Government. To the taxpayers, it affords the
facility of making payments from their own offices on a 24X7 basis. It also facilitates quicker release
of cargo. To the Government, it ensures immediate collection of taxes and error free data relating to
tax payments.
E-payment facility at Customs locations was introduced in 2007 and is available through more than
one authorized bank at all major Customs locations having ICES facility. Though voluntary, the facility
has been used by numerous importers. Besides expediting the process of payment of Customs duty
and clearance of imported goods, the facility of e-payment has resulted in reduction of transaction
cost.
Circular No.24/2012-Customs
1. Kind attention is invited to Board Circular No. 33/2011-Customs dated 29th July, 2011 wherein it
was decided that by the Board that the date for mandatory E- payment of Customs duty shall be
notified separately.
2. It has been decided to make e-payment of duty mandatory for importers registered under
Accredited Clients Programme and importers paying customs duty of one lakhs rupees or more per
Bill of Entry with effect from 17.09.2012.
3. All Chief Commissioners of Customs are therefore advised to give wide publicity to enable trade to
be ready in case any change in their software or any internal procedure for effecting E-payment is
required. As a large number of taxpayers would be required to pay the taxes electronically, it is
requested that importers, trade and industry may be provided all assistance so as to help them in
adopting the new procedure.
4. Suitable Public Notices or Standing Orders may be issued to guide the trade / Industry and
officers.
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