Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has unveiled a Secure QR coded Shipping Bill that would be electronically sent to exporters after the Customs allows export. This eliminates the need for proof of export, and makes the end to end Customs export process fully electronic, from the filing of the Shipping Bill to the final order to allow export.
The initiative is part of steps taken by CBIC for fulfilling its commitment to a ‘Faceless, Paperless, and Contactless Customs’ under the umbrella of its “Turant Customs” programme. “These reforms are based on enhanced use of digital technology to reduce the time and costs for the importers, exporters and other stakeholders, thereby improving India’s ranking in the World Bank’s Trading Across Bordersparameter of its Doing Business Report,” the ministry of finance said in a release.
The launch of paperless documentation on exports is a sequel to a similar initiative that was begun for imports w.e.f. April 15, 2020. “The electronic transmission of the Shipping Bill would do away with the present requirement to take paper printout of these documents thereby promoting Green Customs. Equally importantly exporters would not have to visit the Customs Houses for this purpose and can better utilise their time in promoting their business,” the release said.
CBIC chairman Ajit Kumar said the endeavour is to leverage technology to make the Customs clearance process more transparent and faster. Turant Customs, which has as its main component Faceless Assessment, would be implemented in phases across the entire country by January 1, 2021.
(The notification issued to this effect by CBIC has been forwarded to all members on 23rd instant)
