The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in its Notification dated 11th April 2020 has clarified that the import consignments for which preferential treatment of goods under a Free Trade Agreement has been claimed but the original hard copy of certificate of origin (CoO) has not been submitted or only digitally signed copy or unsigned copy of CoO is submitted, may be assessed and cleared. The final assessment may be done subsequently on submission of the original COO certificate by the importer.
While clearing the goods from customs port, physical copy of the original Certificate of Origin is one of the mandatory documents under the Customs Act, 1962. However the board has given a relaxation of submitting the CoO to mitigate the difficulties faced by importers on account of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to read the Notification.
