India Introduces Simplified Transit Procedure for Facilitating Relief Supplies to Nepal.

With the requests from International Relief Organizations and Governments of some countries for facilitating movement of supplies to Nepal for the people affected by the earthquake, Indian government decided to introduce a simplified procedure of transit clearance. According to Indian Embassy, it would be put in place by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). Ministry of Finance, Government of India in order to enable expeditious and smooth clearance of the relief supplies for onward movement to Nepal,

Accordingly, CBEC has notified a ‘Simplified Transit Procedure’ for transit of relief cargo to Nepal, when supplied by foreign Governments and multi-lateral relief agencies such as UNWFP, Red Cross etc. This simplified procedure would be applicable to goods of international relief agencies/ Governments as duly authorized by the Government of Nepal or its Embassy/ Consulate General in India.  The donor Government or agency has been given option to themselves file the Simplified Declaration of Transit in case they do not opt to engage the Customs Broker.

To facilitate movement of these supplies it has been decided that no Bond, security or bank guarantee, which are normally taken for transit cargo to Nepal, would be obtained for the purpose of transit of relief materials.  

While as per the India-Nepal Treaty of Transit, the transit of cargo to Nepal is allowed only through Kolkata/ Haldia Ports, transit of relief cargo has been additionally allowed transit by the Government of India through airports at Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata, Bagdogara. Similarly, cargo in containers can be transshipped to Nepal from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Delhi and Kanpur. These additional facilities have been made available by the Government of India to facilitate movement of supplies urgently needed by the people affected by the earthquake.

Additionally, CBEC has allowed advance filing of CTD and also instructed Customs officers for clearance beyond the designated hours of business. The simplified procedure would be applicable to goods destined to Nepal via the Land Customs Stations at Raxaul, Jogbani, Sunauli, Panitanki and Nepalgunj Road. The simplified transit procedure would be applicable for six months with the option of being further extended for a period as mutually agreed between Government of India and Government of Nepal.