Attention of all Exporters, Customs Brokers, Shipping Lines, Terminal Operators, and other stakeholders is invited to the current geopolitical situation and ongoing war conditions in the
Middle East region. This conflict has led to significant disruptions in maritime routes, suspension of bookings by major shipping lines, and the closure of key ports in the Gulf region. Consequently, a large volume of export shipments destined for these regions is currently stuck at various Terminals, Container Freight Stations (CFS), and the Container Parking Plaza (CPP) at JNCH.
2.Trade Facilitation Measures: To mitigate the hardship faced by the trade and to prevent the congestion of port terminals, the following relaxation in the procedure is prescribed for Back to Town (BTT) movement of such stranded export containers/shipping bills for which EGM has not been filed:
On receipt of the containers in the CFS / CPP, as the case may be, and where the exporter desires to take the goods back to town, the Exporter or their authorized Customs Broker (CB) shall approach the concerned Assistant/Deputy Commissioner (AC/DC) of the respective CFS or the Centralized Parking Plaza (CPP).
On receipt of the request, the customs officers concerned shall verify the Electronic Seal (e-seal) on self-sealed containers received in the CPP or the Customs Bottle Seal on the docks stuffed containers and match the details mentioned in the Shipping Bill and the stuffing records.
If the seal is intact, while keeping in mind the detailed procedure prescribed in Public Notice No.75/2023 dated 31.08.2023, the following procedure with reference to examination is being prescribed in respect of such cargo:
In respect of containers in CPP, the BTT permission shall be granted only basis the verification of the e-seal. No further examination of the cargo in such containers shall be required to be carried out.
In respect of containers in CFS, the goods will be destuffed and inspection of individual lots relating to the respective shipping bills shall suffice. In this case also, no further examination shall be required to be carried out.
Thus, the requirement for physical examination is hereby waived for such Shipping Bills before granting BTT permission. This waiver is intended to expedite the evacuation of cargo and reduce additional handling costs for the exporters.
Further, in view of the prevailing circumstances, BTT-related fees/penalties leviable under the Customs Act, 1962 or the regulations thereunder, for these specific shipments shall also be waived.
- This Public Notice shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain valid until further orders or until the normalization of shipping operations in the affected region. All other procedural requirements for BTT, as mentioned in PN No. 76/2025 & 75/2023, which are not inconsistent with this notice, shall continue to apply.
- Difficulty, if any, in implementation of this Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the undersigned.
