Jul 22, 2022
A proposal for a completely paperless customs
compliance framework for special economic zones (SEZs) is being reviewed by the
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), said officials.
The framework will be in sync with new legislation proposed by the Centre to
turn the SEZs into comprehensive economic hubs, with larger participation of
states and further ease of compliance to attract investment.
A working group of officers recently submitted a detailed report identifying
processes which can be migrated to the ICES (Indian Customs EDI System) or the
Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE) system to make the customs process
automated and smooth. The CBIC has identified processes, including filing bills
of entry, filling shipping bills and risk-based examination of cargo which will
be migrated to the ICES systems. "We did a very comprehensive review of
part of the touch points between the customs and SEZ units and the processes
involved and how we can automate them," a senior official told ET.