The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has extended the use of SEZ Online for filing export Shipping Bills and import Bills of Entry until 17th February 2025, with no further extensions, except for select modules allowed until 31st March 2025. From 18th February 2025, filing on ICEGATE will be mandatory. Development Commissioners must oversee and ensure a seamless transition of SEZ units to ICEGATE, submitting a completion certificate by 10th February 2025. Non-compliance remains a serious concern despite prior extensions.
“I am directed to refer to this Department’s letters of even number dated 29.06.2024, 13.07.2024, 10.08.2024, 11.09.2024, 10.10.2024 and 10.12.2024 on the subject mentioned above.
In this regard, even though there has been considerable improvement in the implementation of ICEGATE among SEZ Units, it observed that despite providing several extensions for continuation of SEZ online and adequate time to ensure seamless transition to ICEGATE system, representations from SEZ Units are still being received on difficulties being faced during such transition to/onboarding ICEGATE. Further, it has come to light that there still are a number of SEZ Units which have not onboarded ICEGATE at all, which is a matter of serious concern. However, taking cognizance of such reported difficulties, it has been decided to extend filing of documents on SEZ Online up to 17th February, 2025 as a last grace period. It may be noted that thereafter, no further extension shall be granted to allow continued filing of export Shipping Bills and import Bills of Entry on SEZ Online except for those transactions which may be undertaken through the identified seven modules/functionalities communicated vide this Division’s letter dated 10/12/2024, for which SEZ Online may be used till 31/03/2025. With effect from 18th February, 2025, all export Shipping Bills and import Bills of Entry shall mandatorily be required to be filed on ICEGATE.
Further, all the Development Commissioners are directed to personally monitor the onboarding/transition of SEZ units to ICEGATE system and ensure seamless, smooth and complete transition of all the Units under their jurisdiction on ICEGATE. A completion certificate in this regard may be sent to this Division latest by 10th February, 2025 positively.”
The Letter can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/doc-letter-dt-10.01.2025.pdf
