The Hindu Business Line : Revenue Dept okays fast-track clearance scheme for EoUs

THE Revenue Department has at long last approved the fast-track clearance scheme for export-oriented units (EoUs), announced in the new foreign trade policy on August 31, 2004, after accommodating the changes suggested by the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) only early this month.

According to a statement issued here by the Export Promotion Council for EoUs and SEZ units (EPCES), the Revenue Department notification to this effect issued on March 4 said that fast-track clearance facility would be available to the EoUs having status holder certificate under the foreign trade policy.

They have been allowed the facility of self-sealing of containers, besides being entitled to the facility of factory stuffing. A status holder EoU should be allowed factory stuffing based on prior intimation to the Central Excise authorities and without any permission.

Import consignments purported for EoUs would not be subject to detailed examination at the port of import/airport/inland container depots (ICD) as these are to be examined at the bonded premises of EoUs. Consignments meant for status holder EoUs would not be examined in full even at the bonded premises of 100 per cent EoUs.

The request for permission for clearance of rejects in domestic market by status holder EoUs should be considered on priority and the decision of such requests should be duly communicated within seven working days.

The Revenue Department circular further said that all EoUs including status holder EoUs shall be allowed export of samples on the basis of prior intimation only and no permission should be required. Status holder EoUs would be permitted to take out their capital goods or parts for repair after intimating the Central Excise authorities and no permission should be required.

Status holder EoUs are permitted to install two duty-free computers and one fax machine for their administrative office/registered office outside the bonded premises without any prior permission, though a prior permission is required to be sent.

Again, sale of finished goods in the domestic market by a status holder EoU need not require prior permission from the Development Commissioner or the Central excise authorities. They are required to send prior intimation only. Personal carriage of samples of gold/silver/platinum/jewellery/cut and polished diamonds/fresh stones, beads and articles by the status holder EoUs should be allowed without any permission from the Development Commissioner or the jurisdictional Central Excise authorities.

They will be only required to accord prior intimation to the jurisdictional customs/central excise authorities.

Welcoming the changes notified by the Revenue Department, the EPCES Director-General, EPCES, said the implementation of the fast-track clearance procedure facility would help in simplifying the procedure for EoUs and cut down their transaction cost.

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