Clearance of goods [Section 47]:

Once the customs check and payment of duty is completed, the customs officers allow clearance of the goods. Section 47 provides that where the proper officer is satisfied that the goods entered for home consumption are not prohibited and the appropriate import duty has been paid, he can make an order permitting clearance of the goods for home consumption. On making this order, which is popularly known as “pass out of customs charge order” the bill of entry (duplicate) copy is produced to the custodian who delivers the goods to the importer.

Some major importers have been given the green channel clearance facility. It means clearance of goods is done without routine examination of the goods. They have to make a declaration in the declaration form at the time of filing of bill of entry. The appraisement is done as per normal procedure except that there would be no physical examination of the goods. Only marks and number are to be checked in such cases. However, in rare cases, if there are specific doubts regarding description or quantity of the goods, physical examination may be ordered by the senior officers/investigation wing like SIIB.

Interest: Further if the importer fails to pay import duty within 2 days (excluding holidays) of the determination of the duty amount, he is required to pay interest on the duty till the time he actually pays the duty and clears the goods.

The rate of interest shall be not below 10 percent and not exceeding 36 percent per annum and shall be fixed by the central government. However, the interest may be waived by the CBEC in public interest.