Chennai Customs has directed custodians and shipping lines not to levy demurrage, detention or storage charges on containers whose non-clearance or movement is attributable to technical issues related to the implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR). The waiver will apply during the period between September 6 and 30, and for those affected due to SCMTR, the Customs order issued on Tuesday said.
The order comes amid a disruption in the filing and processing of import manifests, with nearly 300 import consignments, largely LCL (less-than-container-load) cargo, held up at Chennai Port. Importers and Customs brokers have reported difficulties with Import General Manifest/ House Bill of Lading incorporation and split-manifest filing, resulting in delays in cargo clearance and movement.
The Chennai Customs Preventive Commissionerate directed custodians and shipping lines not to levy or collect demurrage, detention or storage charges on containers affected by technical issues in filing under SCMTR.
In a public notice dated September 22, Customs said difficulties were being encountered in filing and processing Sea Arrival Amendment/Cargo Summary Notification amendments under SCMTR. As a result, in some cases, containers were not being moved from ports to the concerned Container Freight Stations (CFSs), while some remained uncleared at CFSs.
The relief applies to non-clearance or difficulty in movement of containers is attributable to the SCMTR-related technical issues, the order said.
The Commissionerate said the problems were being addressed through solutions and amendments, but described the present situation as unprecedented and beyond the control of importers and the trade. It, therefore, decided to provide relief as a one-time measure from charges arising during the affected period.
An official of the Customs Brokers’ Association of Chennai (CCBA) said nearly 300 import consignments were affected due to the glitch.
With cargo remaining stuck, industry stakeholders had raised concerns over the accumulation of detention and storage costs for delays arising from a system-related compliance issue. The Customs order should provide relief to the trade, said sources.
