The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Friday notified the 1st phase of All India roll-out of Faceless Assessment.
The Board communicated through Circular No.09/2019-Customs, dated February 28, 2019, its decision to implement the next generation reforms in the Customs clearance process under the umbrella of Turant Customs with the objectives of speedy clearance, transparency in decision making, and ease of doing business.
“The Board has decided to begin Faceless Assessment in phases beginning with Customs stations which already have the experience of the pilot programs. Therefore, the first phase would begin from 8th June 2020 at Bengaluru and Chennai for items of imports primarily covered by Chapters 84 and 85 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The phased rollout plan envisages that Faceless Assessment shall be the norm pan India by 31st December 2020,” the circular said.
“The Board rolled out numerous changes to the Customs clearance process, which together support Turant Customs. These initiatives include the self-registration of goods by importers, automated clearances of bills of entry, digitization of customs documents, paperless clearance, etc. The stage is now set for the roll-out of the most critical reform under the Turant Customs viz., Faceless Assessment,” the circular said.
The Board is now ready to launch Faceless Assessment pan India. At the same time, noting that Faceless Assessment is a complete departure from the existing manner of Customs assessment, there is a need to introduce the changes in phases which would give the trade and other stakeholders (including the Customs officers) time to adapt to the changed scenario without any disruption of work.
In order to introduce Phase 1 of Faceless Assessment at Bengaluru and Chennai from 8th June 2020 for imports primarily made under Chapters 84 and 85 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 at these Customs stations
The main objective of the Faceless Assessment is speedy and uniform assessment practices, in Phase 1 of Faceless Assessment.
“Board hereby nominates Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru City, Bengaluru, Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs, Airport and Air Cargo Complex, Bengaluru, Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs (II), Chennai and Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs (VII), Air Cargo Complex Chennai to act as nodal Commissioners for the purpose of administratively monitoring the assessment practice in respect of imported goods which are assigned in the Customs Automated System to the officers of the Faceless Assessment Groups in Bengaluru and Chennai, for articles primarily falling under Chapters 84 and 85, of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975,” the circular said.
“The said nodal Commissioners would work in a coordinated manner. This arrangement would pave the path to establish National Assessment Commissionerates (NACs) with the mandate to examine the assessment practices of imported articles across Customs stations and suggest measures to bring about uniformity and enhanced quality of assessments. The NACs would be put in place as and when Faceless Assessment is rolled out in phases across the country,” the circular further clarified.
The circular further clarified that the concerned Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners are responsible for setting up dedicated cells called Truant Suvidha Kendras, in every Customs station manned by customs officers to cater to varied functions and roles.
“The main purpose of the Turant Suvidha Kendra is for the facilitation of the trade-in completing various formalities relating to the Customs procedures in the new regime of Faceless Assessment. The details of functions, roles, location, and timing of the Truant Suvidha Kendras shall be intimated by the local Customs administration to all stakeholders,” the circular said.
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