Page 34 - ELT_1st September 2020_Vol 373_Part 5

A136 EXCISE LAW TIMES [ Vol. 373

consequently, reliance is placed on the digital copies of the Shipping Bill in the
coming days. The said initiative would greatly help in saving the time and cost of
compliance for the trade as well as providing enhanced security through
necessary verification of authenticity and validity of the electronic documents.
Final Let Export Order - Shipping Bill
In future the digital copy of the Shipping Bill bearing the final Let Export
Order (LEO) would be electronically transmitted to the exporter. The instant re-
form results into introduction of a digital PDF Out-of-Charge copy of the Bill of
Entry and Gate pass. It is pertinent to note that in the matter of taking printouts
of Shipping Bills, exchange Control copy of the Shipping Bill was earlier done
away with as well as Export Promotion copy of the Shipping Bill was made op-
tional. Currently, the Shipping Bill is being printed in duplicate, namely Customs
Copy and Exporter Copy. Now, in order to promote the paperless environment
in Customs process, C.B.I. & C. has decided to do away with the process of tak-
ing printouts of the aforesaid. Eventually the PDF version of the final LEO copy
of the Shipping Bill will be transferred to the related Customs Broker and export-
er respectively by emails.
E-Gate pass Copy of Shipping Bill
It is observed that despite the electronic information available in the Cus-
toms Automated System, the printout of Shipping Bills is being used extensively
by the logistics operators during the movement of export goods. Henceforth the
e-Gate pass PDF copy of the Shipping Bill will be communicated to the Customs
Broker and the Exporter through email communication. It has been made abun-
dantly clear that for the purpose of exporting, in case supporting documents, if
any, are required, they should mandatorily be uploaded in e-Sanchit and the col-
lection of physical dockets shall be dispensed with.
Launch of new DGFT platform
In order to promote and facilitate the cross-border trade, DGFT has de-
cided to rollout the first phase of a new digital platform which is scheduled to
Go-Live on 13th July, 2020. In the said platform, all kind of services related to the
IEC are being made operational along with a Chatbot catering to queries of users.
Accordingly, DGFT has issued Trade Notice No. 16/2020-21, dated 25-6-2020 inti-
mating that once the said IEC module gets stabilized, eventually the other online
modules in relation to Advance Authorisation (AA), EPCG, and Exports Obliga-
tion Discharge etc., will be rolled out in a phased manner. The salient features of
design of the upcoming modules are as follows;
 The access to the said services would be through a username and
password-based system. The registered mobile number/email ids of
the IEC holders will be a mandatory requirement towards creation
of the said user ID.
 Digital Signature (DSC) or Aadhaar based e-Sign will be required
for applying and modifying IEC or adding or updating the IEC-
linked users.
 The user profile of the IEC holders in the DGFT database is enabled
to electronically access IEC, AA, EPCG related services as offered
under the said module.
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