Page 59 - ELT_15th May 2020_VOL 372_Part 4th

Customs Circulars and Public Notices

Measure to facilitate trade during the lockdown period
— Review of Circular No. 17/2020, dated 3-4-2020 —
Undertaking in lieu of Bond can be submitted till
30-5-2020

Subject : Review of Circular No. 17/2020, dated 3-4-2020 namely, ‘Measure to
facilitate trade during the lockdown period - Section 143AA of the
Customs Act, 1962’- Regarding.
Kind attention is invited to Board’s Circular No. 17/2020, dated 3-4-2020
[2020 (372) E.L.T. (T5)] on ‘Measure to facilitate trade during the lockdown period -
section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962’ wherein relaxation was given, in the
context of lockdown announced by the Government due to COVID-19 pandemic,
to accept an undertaking in lieu of a bond required during customs clearance,
subject to conditions as underlined in the circular. The facility was extended till
15-5-2020 vide Circular No. 21/2020, dated 21-4-2020 [2020 (372) E.L.T. (T11)]
2. In reference to MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A), dated 1-5-2020,
wherein the lockdown was further extended for two weeks with effect from
4th May, 2020, and taking into consideration that it might take sometime after
the end of the lockdown for the situation to normalise, the Board has decided to
further extend the facility of accepting undertaking in lieu of bond for the period
till 30-5-2020. Consequently, the date for submission of proper bond in lieu of
which the undertaking is being temporarily accepted is extended till 15-6-2020.
This relaxation will be reviewed by the Board at the end of the lockdown period.
3. The conditions underlined in Circular No. 17/2020, dated 3-4-2020
stand as they are.
4. Suitable Trade Notice/Standing Order may be issued to guide the
trade and industry. Difficulty, if any, faced in implementation of this circular
may be brought to the notice of Board immediately.
[M.F. (D.R.) Circular No. 23/2020-Cus., dated 11-5-2020]

EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th May 2020  59