Customs clears 374 MT goods embargoed at IGIA, gives late fee exemption of Rs 5.74 cr

New Delhi: The Delhi Customs has started to clear imported goods lying in cargo sheds at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) due to the COVID-19 lockdown and getting them to the concerned companies in Delhi -NCR. The Delhi Customs is providing end to end assistance from filing the bill of entry stage to the transportation of these goods amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

According to data accessed by Millennium Post, from April 7 to April 10, about 374 metric tons of goods which include medical equipment lying at the cargo shed area were cleared by Air Cargo Import Commissionerate of Customs.

According to official sources, due to the lockdown, many companies are not able to send their vehicles at cargo sheds at IGIA to collect their imported goods. "In order to help them, Customs has written to Chief Secretaries (Delhi, Haryana) in which they have asked them to ensure vehicles, which are going to their warehouses or concerned company with goods from IGIA after Customs clearance, should not be stopped and seamless transportation should be given," sources said.

After any cargo flight lands in India, in 48 hours, the concerned company for which cargo has arrived has to file the bill of entry with Customs or pay a penalty.

In another case, if the company has filed a bill of entry and then also they are unable to take their cargo from IGIA, then custodian of goods at the airport starts charging a penalty for keeping goods - known as Demurrage charges.

"776 bills of entries Air Cargo Import Commissionerate have given late fee exemption of Rs 5.34 crores and a total of 5.74 crores by Delhi Customs zone," data shows.

Sources said that currently, whatever goods - be it essential or otherwise, in shed area are being cleared. "In coordination of District Administration, Customs are clearing goods.

The place where Customs keeps goods has a capacity of 2,000 tons and to keep it decongested, clearance is being done," sources said, adding that the useful information is provided on the Delhi Customs Zone website and also assistance is provided for clearance. According to a recent Delhi Customs tweet, they ensured smooth clearance of RNA ( PCR - Fluorescence Probing) Detection Kits for Coronavirus imported by Indian Red Cross Society.

Meanwhile, amid COVID-19, Customs officials are regularly briefed about precautions to be taken in the current scenario. The ports where containers are kept are being regularly sanitized. The Customs officials involved in this process have been given proper protective gear.