Customs to start risk-based scrutiny of imported goods in phases from Sep 5

The Customs department will begin a standardised risk-based faceless assessment system across the country for clearance of imported consignments in phases starting with metal from September 5.

This would promote ease of doing business as it would bring uniformity in Customs examination, and reduce the time taken for clearing consignments.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in a circular to field offices said the National Customs Targeting Centre (NCTC) has developed system generated centralized examination orders for Bills of Entry (BoE), based on various parameters, and this will be rolled out in phases.

This risk-based scrutiny would be meant for 'Second Check Bill of Entry', under which imported goods do not have to mandatorily go through physical examination. Customs officers do assessment of the imported goods on the basis of the documents submitted to the authorities.

A BoE is filed by importers or their agents to the Customs department before the arrival