A slew of trade enhancing measures implemented by the Vizag customs department has been playing a vital role in boosting trade and simplifying various cumbersome procedures.

Clearance of cargo plays a paramount role in swift transportation of goods and this is where the Vizag customs department’s initiatives like faceless assessment, Turant Suvidha kendras, risk management systems, 24×7 clearance have played the role of a facilitator.

Faceless Assessment

Faceless assessment has been implemented in Visakhapatnam Custom House during 2020 wherein Faceless assessment has been functioning smoothly with sufficient number of officers posted in the Faceless Assessment Group.

A provision for Automatic Escalation Mechanism is also available in the Faceless Assessment for escalation of the matter in case the first decision of assessment is not done within three hours of filing.

Setting up of TSKs

A Turant Suvidha Kendra (TSK) has been set up in the Custom House for liaising with Faceless Assessment Groups at other Ports, to carry out any other verification that may be referred by the Faceless Assessment Groups, defacing Country of Origin Certificates, documents etc., wherever required.

Risk Management System (RMS)

Upon successful implementation of Risk Management System, 90% of the Bills of Entry as per the customs department are being facilitated without assessment and examination keeping the dwell time at minimum.

Direct Port Delivery

The facility of Direct Port Delivery (DPD) of import containers, which was earlier available to only AEO clients, has now been extended to all the Bills of Entry that are filed under ‘prior entry’ system irrespective of the importer’s profile.

Direct Port Entry (DPE):

Similarly direct Port Entry (DPE) facility is available to all manufacturer-exporters wherein export cargo can be stuffed into containers in their own factory under self-seal with e-seal and can be sent directly to the Terminal for onward export.

Trade Facilitation Meetings

Permanent Trade Facilitation Meetings are held bi-monthly with all the stakeholders in order to resolve the issues if any.

In addition it has been organising monthly meetings with all the Custodians to monitor disposal of  un-cleared cargo.