Customs Brokers Demand Withdrawal of Public Notice Issued by Customs Commissioner of Chennai
Chennai Commissioner should withdraw the public notice unconditionally and issue an apology: FCBA
Controversy Over Notice About Customs Broker Allegedly Demanding Money in the Name of Officials
Notice Sent to 20 Commissionerates Across the Country and to the Finance Minister
Ahmedabad, Saturday: A public notice issued to inform Customs House Agents or Customs Brokers to refrain from demanding money from importers and exporters in the name of customs officials for clearing their import and export consignments has created a controversy. Terming the notice as wrongly maligning Customs House Agents image, the Customs House Brokers Association has flashed a notice, via email to the Chennai Customs Commissioner as well as twenty Commissionerate across the nation demanding withdrawal of the public notice. The notice is also sent to FM Nirmala Sitaraman.
The Federation of Customs Broker Associations in India, Secretary Parthiv Vijaykumar Dave, has sent anotices to India’s Revenue Secretary, the Chairman of CBIC, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and the offices of Chief Customs Commissioners across the country, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the public notice issued by the Chennai Commissioner.
Along with this, a demand has been made that the Chennai Commissioner should withdraw the public notice unconditionally and issue an apology to the Customs House Agents. Along with this, a demand has been made that the Chennai Commissioner should withdraw the public notice unconditionally and issue an apology to the Customs House Agents. FCBA has even given a threat of non filling of bill of entry and shipping bill if there demand for unconditional withdrawal of public notice defaming Customs brokers fraternity, which may even lead to terrific disaster and panic amongst exporters and importer as well as the entire country and EXIM Trade.
The notice states that the allegation that Customs House Agents are demanding money from importers and exporters in the name of officials to clear consignments is based on unnecessary and unfounded observations. The accusations made against Customs Brokers and Customs House Agents in the public notice are baseless. It further states that the Chennai Commissioner’s public notice is defaming Customs Brokers under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
The notice also claims that the Chennai Commissioner is trying to pressure Customs Brokers through this public notice and is causing them harm. In the name of efficient and transparent administration, an attempt has been made to intimidate Customs House Agents and place them under undue pressure through the notice. The Customs Commissioner should disclose details of the complaints received in this regard and how they were resolved.
