The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Monday issued instructions on the disposal of unclaimed or uncleared or seized or confiscated goods.
The Board has noted several instances in respect of pendency in the disposal of such goods including some that are of hazardous and explosive nature. As is well known, the expeditious disposal of such goods that are ripe for disposal is required not only to safeguard revenue at the earliest but also to prevent loss of revenue due to any untoward incident such as theft or pilferage.
The Board is of the view that expeditious disposal of goods that are of hazardous or explosive nature is especially necessary to prevent any damage to life and property that may arise.
The Board has decided to start a Special Drive with immediate effect i.e. from August 11, 2020 and ending on September 15, 2020 for complete disposal of all unclaimed or uncleared or seized or confiscated goods due for disposal by August l, 2020.
“Special care would be taken to also confirm that till their disposal all such goods as well as other goods that may become ripe for disposal later, are kept safely and securely (including safe from fire) and do not present any danger to life or property. It must be positively ensured that no such goods ripe for disposal are held up in any Customs station beyond the prescribed timelines,” the instruction said.
The Board directed the Commissioner of Customs to undertake a safety audit in coordination with the Pollution Control Board/Fire Safety Department or any other competent authority and cause the custodian to undertake all the sufficient measures to ensure safe storage and handling of the hazardous and explosive materials in a Customs area.
“All field formations may furnish a report on 24.08.2020 and 15.09.2020 to the Board regarding disposal of uncleared/unclaimed and seized/confiscated goods in the format attached herewith till the completion of this Special Drive,” the Board instructed.
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