A Custom House Agent has to be not only well informed of the Customs laws and procedures

and documentation, but has to be alert all the time, closely following the instructions or
change in the public notices, issued from time to time. His is a very peculiar position in that,
though he is employed by the Importers/Exporters, he is licensed by the department and
hence he can satisfy them only to the extent the law permits and within the procedures laid
down by the Customs House. He has, accordingly, to function under two masters, the tax
payer and tax collector, both simultaneously satisfactorily.
Customs House Agents to be licensed. No person shall carry on business as a Customs
House Agent relating to the entry or departure of a conveyance or the import or export of
goods at any Customs Station unless such person holds a licence granted under these
regulations.
Provided that no licence under these regulations shall be required by :
(a) an importer or exporter transacting any business at a Customs Station solely on his own
account;
(b) any employee of any person or a firm transacting business generally on behalf of such
person or firm, and holding an identity card or a temporary pass issued by the Deputy
Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs.
(c) an agent employed for one or more vessels or aircrafts in order solely to enter or clear
such vessels or aircrafts for work incidental to his employment as such agent.

Coimbatore, Tirupur trade want rail connectivity from ICD Irugur resumed
Kochi, June 21:
To woo customers from Coimbatore and Tirupur, the container terminal operator DP World
Kochi organised trade meetings in these two regions.
Sources in the shipping fraternity who participated in the meet said that the trade in
Coimbatore had suggested re-starting of the rail connectivity from ICD Irugur, which would
offer cheaper and faster cargo service.
Exporters from Pollachi demanded the opening up of the Gopalapuram Check Post which
would save them transportation cost while shipping through Kochi Port.
Due to present restrictions of container movement through Gopalapuram check post, the
exporters are forced to route their goods via the Walayar Check Post incurring additional
running distance.
Representatives from the trade pointed that they prefer to ship via Chennai and Tuticorin due
to cost advantage.
However, they were of the opinion that Kochi Port would also be a cost-effective solution if
containers meant for exports are routed via Gopalapuram check post.
Garment exporters from Tirupur cited higher transportation cost and terminal handling
charges at ICTT Vallarpadam as the reason for opting Tuticorin Port as their major gateway.
The starting of direct Europe and China service from ICTT has been attracting them due to
transit time and cost saving.
However, they expressed the view that Kochi would be a preferred gateway if more mainline
services to major destinations in Europe and US starts from Vallarpadam.
The Facilitation centre at Walayar jointly run by DP World and the Kerala Chamber of
Commerce and Industry also won a lot of accolades from the trade.
The centre had handled more than 700 containers in May. Apart from e-filing, the centre
supports the trade with facilities like coordination with the commercial taxes office,
communication facilities.
Shipping lines operating mainline services at Kochi projected the advantages of using their
service during the session. Various CFS and ICD operators highlighted their infrastructure
facilities and services to the Exim trade.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr K.K. Krishnadas, Chief Executive Officer, DP World Kochi,
said that the company will do everything possible to ensure even last minute connections to
avoid containers getting shut out.
Mr Elvis DCruz, General Manager Commercial, DP World and Mr Jimmy George, Deputy
Traffic Manager, Cochin Port Trust also attended the function.
The event was well attended by the EXIM fraternity comprising exporters, importers,
shipping lines, CFS and ICD operators, Freight Forwarders and Custom House Agents
Concor ready for regular rail service to Chennai
Special Correspondent
COIMBATORE: The Container Corporation of India (Concor) has said that it will start rail
service to Chennai Port on specific days of the week if there is continuous demand from
customers in Coimbatore.
According to a release, the container service to Chennai was started based on the request of a
customer here. If there is continuous demand from other customers too, it will start regular
service and intimate all members of the Customs House and Steamer Agents' Association.
The rail service will be open to all and export-laden containers will be dispatched according
to booking seniority.
The Concor has revised the handling charges after 11 years here and has deployed reach
stacker and two inter-carting trailers now for faster and safer handling of cargo. It is also in
the process of floating new tender for road transport contract.




http://www.iupindia.in/906/IJSCM_Role_of_Freight_Forwarders_Customs_79.html
Freight forwarding is a vital part of logistics in international trade activity. The traditional
outlook of the role of Freight Forwarders/Customs House Agents (CHAs) has been to act as
a buffer between the manufacturer/exporter and the sea carrier. By doing so, they assist in
the efficient flow of goods down the international supply chain. Services generally offered
by the forwarders are booking space with the carrier, helping in the movement of goods
down the dock, ensuring the safe loading, arranging customs clearance and producing the
documentation to and from the sea carrier. This paper articulates a research study (based on
the perception of exporters) with a special focus to appraise the role played by freight
forwarders/Customs House Agents (CHA) in logistics in Tiruppur.
Logistics is concerned with getting products and services, `where they are needed when
they are desired'. Consumers expect products to be readily available and fresh, that they
take for granted, a high level of logistical competency. No marketing or manufacturing
process can be accomplished without logistical support. Movement of goods is carried out
by the Freight Forwarder on behalf of the shipper.
Freight forwarding is a vital part of international trade activity. Forwarding can be defined
as "Help forward, send on to further destinations". The traditional outlook on the role of a
forwarder was that of a buffer between the Manufacturer/Exporter and the sea carrier, to
assist in the efficient flow of goods down the international transport chain. The forwarder
helps in booking space with the carrier, helping in the movement of goods down the dock,
ensuring safe loading, arranging customs clearance and producing the documentation to and
from the sea carrier.
Indian Custom EDI System
CES system is not only a technology solution but it transformed the way business was done.
ICES comprises of two main sub systems namely, India Customs EDI system/Imports
(ICES/I) and Indian Customs EDI System/Export (ICES/E).
ICES/I for processing of Bill of Entry; and ICES/E for processing of Shipping Bills. The
Exporters, Importers and Custom House Agents (CHAs) transmit Bills of Entry, Shipping
Bills and other related documents such as Invoice, Packing List over dial-up links to the
NICNET EDI Server which, in turn, submit them to Customs computer system for clearance.
The trading community is not required to travel physically to the Custom House for
submitting the documents except at the last stage for physical examination of goods, and for
taking delivery.
The Custom House Agents use the Remote EDI System (RES) which is a standalone software
package for preparation of Bill of Entry and Shipping Bills and other related documents. It
has been developed by NIC as part of Indian Customs EDI System. The documents
transmitted electronically over NICNET are submitted to Customs Computer System for
further processing.
The most important part of the Customs House Agents Regulations is Rule 14, which lays
down the obligations of Customs House Agents, as under.
a. obtain an authorisation from each of the companies, firms or individuals by whom he
is, for the time being, employed as Customs House Agent and produce such
authorisation whenever required by an Assistant Commissioner of Customs;
transact business in the Customs Station either personally or through an employee duly
approved by the Assistant Commissioner of Customs, designated by the Commissioner;
does not represent a client before an officer of Customs in any matter to which he, as an
officer of the Department of Customs gave personal consideration, or as to the facts of which
he gained knowledge, while in Government service;
shall bring the matter to the notice of the Assistant Commissioner of Customs;
a client with reference to any work related to clearance of cargo or baggage;
nformation relating to clearance of cargo or baggage issued by the
Commissioner of Customs from a client who is entitled to such information;
tax or other debt or obligations owed to the Government and promptly account to his client
for funds received for him from the Government or received from him in excess of
Government or other charges payable in respect of the clearance of cargo or baggage;
attempt to procure directly or indirectly ,information from the
Government records or other Government sources of any kind to which access is not granted
by proper officer;
any matter
pending before such an official or his subordinates by the use of threat, false accusation,
duress or the offer of any special inducement or promise of advantage or by the bestowing of
any gift or favour or other thing of value;
cess to, conceal, remove or destroy the whole or any part of any book, paper
or other record, relating to his transactions as a Customs House Agent which is sought or may
be sought by the Commissioner;
anner as may be directed
from time to time by an Asst. Commissioner of Customs and submit them for inspection to
the said Asst. Commissioner of Customs or an officer authorised
by him whenever required;
y him or on his behalf are strictly in
accordance with orders relating thereto;
Customs Station by him show the name of the Importer or Exporter, as the case may be, and
the name of the Customs House Agent, prominently, at the top of such documents;
Commissioner;
utmost
speed and efficiency and without avoidable delay; and

approved by the Commissioner from time to time under Regulation 25.