Cochin Port Trust and Customs department in a meeting today decided to take steps for fast clearance of import cargos.
A meeting jointly convened by the Cochin Port Trust Chairman and Customs Commissioner today decided to review the existing free-period given to the Exim trade at the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.
The decision comes in the wake of long dwell time (time taken for movement of import cargo from the point of arrival of vessel by Customs to grant of 'out-of-charge' by Customs) for containers to be cleared from the ICTT, a port press release said.
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Average dwell time for import of cargo at Cochin is 15.36 days, which is much longer than the dwell time in other Indian Ports.
Analysis by the Cochin Customs has revealed that major part of the time is taken for filing of the Bill of Entry on behalf of the Importer. On their part, the Customs has started measures to ensure that the entire time taken by Customs perse is brought down to within two days by March 2015.
The reduction in dwell time for clearance from the terminal will go a long way in reducing the time for physical receipt of imported goods by the consignee and also to a great extent result in reduction of cost by avoidance of chances of demurrage and other detention cost.
The meeting was attended by officials from Customs, Cochin Port Trust, Immigration Office, Food Safety Standards Authority of India, Spices Board and representatives from Shipping Companies, Customs House Agents, Chambers of Commerce and the India Gateway Terminals Private Limited.
