G/TFA/W/26  
 
8 October 2020  
(20-6918) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
INTIMATION TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION ABOUT  
INDIA'S COVID -19 TRADE FACILITATION MEASURES  
COMMUNICATION FROM INDIA  
The following communication, dated 26 September 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of India for Members' information.  
 
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The Government of India, sensing the gravity of the pandemic and its likely impact on the global 
supply chain had taken a number of proactive trade facilitative  measures to ensure smooth oper ation 
of trade related activities with special focus on cross border movement of goods through various 
customs locations, namely, seaports, airports, land customs stations, foreign post offices and courier 
terminals, while simultaneously following prevalen t social distancing and other health related 
guidelines . 
 
An illustrative list of measures and actions taken by India is as below:  
 
1. Implementation of 24x7 custom clearance facility at all custom formations to avoid any supply 
chain disruption. Instruction No.02/2020 -Customs dated 20.02.2020 and Instruction 
No. 08/2020 dated 01.06.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources// htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -instructions/cs -instructions -
2020/cs -ins-02-2020.pdf  
2. All customs formations to show greater sensitivity in dealing with cargo from affected areas, 
condone the delay in filing import declarations and waive late filing fees in genuine cases. CBIC 
Chairman letter No.03/CH(IC)/2020 dated 24.02.2020 . 
3. Creation of a dedicated single window COVID -19 helpdesk for EXIM trade to facilitate quick 
resolution of issue(s) faced by importer/exporter . 
https://icegate.gov.in/coronavirus -tradehelp  
4. Designation of a nodal officer in each Customs Zone who can be approached for any issue 
pertaining to clearance of carg o. 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/CBIC -Customs -Nodal -Officer -Covid -19.pdf  
5. With effect from 5 March 2020, extension of automated clearance of Bills of Entry to all Customs  
formations Where the Customs Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system is operational to 
minimize human interface and maintain social distancing. So far , this function was performed 
by a Customs Officer, Circular No. 15/2020 -Customs Dated 28.02.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-15-2020.pdf  
6. Shipping Lines have been asked not to levy detention charges on containers held up for reasons 
attributable to lockdown measures. DG Shipping Order no. 07/2020 dated 29.03.2020.  G/TFA/W/26  
 
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  7. All major ports have been asked not to levy penalties, demurrage, charges, fee, rental on any 
port user  (traders, Shipping Lines, concessionaries, licensees etc.) for any delay in berthing, 
loading/unloading operations or evacuation/arrival of cargo for reasons attributable to lockdown 
measures Ministry of Shipping letter No. PD -14300/4/2020 -PD VII dated 31 .03.2020.  
8. Likewise, customs airports have been asked for waiving of demurrage charges at 50% by airport 
operator/cargo terminal operator for the lockdown period. Order date 01.04.2020 of Ministry of 
Civil Aviation issued under F. No. AV -29012/41/2020 -ER. 
9. The time limit for filing of appeal, furnishing of return, or any other compliance under the 
Customs Act or Customs Tariff Act, which was expiring from 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020, 
has been extended up to 30th September 2020 The Taxation and Other law s (relaxation of 
Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020 (N o. 2 OF 2020 ) read with relevant notification . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdoc s-
cbec/customs/NN_English_Ordinance_date%20extension.pdf  
10. To address the difficulties faced by importers/exporters and their authorized Customs Brokers, 
during the lockdown period, the requirement of submitting different types of customs bond was 
dispensed with. Importers/exporters and their authorized Customs Brokers can submit 
undertaking on plain paper in lieu of such bonds Circular no. 17/2020 -Customs dated 
03.04.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-17-2020.pdf  
11. With the subsequent extension of lockdown period, and resultant difficulties in obtaining stamp 
papers for  the submission of customs bonds, the facility of submitting undertaking on plain 
paper in lieu of such bond provided vide Circular 17/2020 was further extended to 30.06.2020 
Circular 21/2020 dated 21.04.2020, Circular 23/2020 dated 11.05.2020 and 
Circular  26/2020 -Customs . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-26-2020.pdf  
12. Import clearance of Ed ible oils and Food Grains against Provisional No -Objection Certificate 
P-NOC based on visual examination without waiting for the analysis report. On receipt of 
analysis report, final No Objection Certificate shall be issued FSSAI 's direction dated 03.04.20 20 
and 16.04.2020 issued under F. No. 1 -1771/FSSAI/Imports/2018 . 
https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2020/04/5e98366960e97Dir ection_PNOC_Importe
d_Food_16_04_2020.pdf  
13. Prioritized clearance of critical goods used for fighting COVID -19, such as medical equipment, 
drugs and pharmaceuticals, testing kits, PPEs and exemption from basic customs duty and 
health cess has been granted to such goods - ventilators, masks, personal protection equipment, 
testing kits and inputs used in manufacturing these items Notification No. 20/2020 -Cus dated 
09.04.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -act/notifications/notfns -2020/cs -
tarr2020/cs20 -2020.pdf  
14. Allowing provisional clearance of goods imported under free trade agreements without 
production of o riginal certificate of origin. Customs Circular No. 18/2020 -Cus dated 11.04.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/c ustoms/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-18-2020.pdf  
DGFT Trade Notice No. 59/2019 -20 dated 28 March 2020  
https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/Trade%20Notice%2059.pdf  G/TFA/W/26  
 
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  15. Issuance of electronic certificates of origin for exports under India’s trade agreements with 
ASEAN, Japan, South Asia, Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) on a digital 
platform. Trade Notice 1/2020 -21 dated 7 April 2020 . 
https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/Trade%20Notice%201%20eCoO%20go -
live%207Apr2020.pdf  
16. Exemption from Integrated Goods and services Tax (IGST)/Compensation Cess on goods 
imported against Adv. Authorization/EPCG extended up  to 30.03.2021 (Notification No. 
18/2020 - Customs dated 30.03.2020 ). 
https://w ww.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -act/notifications/notfns -2020/cs -
tarr2020/cs18 -2020.pdf . 
17. Electronic communication of PDF based final electronic Out of Charge eOoC (electronic Out of 
Charge) copy of BoE and eGatepass to the importers/Customs Brokers reduce interface between 
the Customs Authorities and Importers/Exports/Customs Brokers, with effect from 15.04.2020 
Circular No. 19/2020 -Customs dated 13.04.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-19-2020.pdf  
18. Personal hearing with respect to any proceeding under Customs Act, 1962 by video confer encing 
mechanism and., online submission of all documents for personal hearings through official 
emails. F. No. 390/Misc/3/2019 -JC dated 27.04.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -instructions/cs -instructions -
2020/cs -ins-04-2020.pdf  
19. To ease the burden of compliance on the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO)'s, the AEO 
certificates that were expiring betwee n 01.03.2020 and 31.05.2020 have been extended to 
30.06.2020 vide Circular 27/2020 -Customs dated 02.06.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov. in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-27-2020.pdf  
All the AEO entities have been sent individual intimations over email. Extension communications 
have been made from 24 April 2020 onwards.  
20. Validity of Letters of Inten t (LOIs) issued to various promoters for setting up of Inland  Customs 
Depots (ICDs)/Container Freight Stations (CFSs) due to expire during lockdown period extended 
up to 31 August 2020.  
21. Implemented of first phase of Faceless Assessment across Chennai and B engaluru with effect 
from 8 June 2020 (Notification No 50/2020 ) (N.T.) and Notification 51/2020 dated 05.06.2020, 
Circular No. 28/2020 dated 05.06.2020 . 
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-28-2020.pdf  
Instruction No .09/2020 dated 05.06.2020  
https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -instructions/cs -instructions -
2020/cs -ins-09-2020.pdf  
22. Contactless customs - To reduce non -essential physical interactions in the Customs work 
environment, allowing Registration of Authorized Dealer Code, Bank Accounts through Indian 
Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), Automated debit of bond after Assessment; Simplified 
Regist ration of Importers /Exporters in ICEGATE and Extension of Turant Suvidha Kendra in All 
Customs Formations. Circular No.32/2020 -Customs dated 06.07.2020 . G/TFA/W/26  
 
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  https:www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs -cbec/customs/cs -circulars/cs -circulars -
2020/Circular -No-32-2020.pdf  
23. Online issuance of health certificates by the Export Inspection Council EIC, over e -mail. 
24. Online issuance of Certificates for  exports by Marine Products Export Development Authority 
(MPEDA) for the USA market w.e.f. 1 April 2020 DS 2301 certificates.  
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