Sealing Inefficiency

The advent of TFA regime has shaken quite a few established processes which were deemed indispensable to the EXIM trade. And one such mandate is electronic sealing of containers that paves the path for secured multi-modal international container shipment while ensuring cargo traceability for shippers and Customs.

- Sisir Pradhan

The Indian Customs is in a hurry! It may amaze the speed at which the depart-ment is introducing a slew of procedural changes to release cargo that seemed unthinkable for India a decade ago. If one asks the experience of old timers in EXIM trade, getting the cargo through the Customs a decade or ago used to be more taxing than the entire exercise of export or import. So like other global ports Singapore or Jabel Ali, soon officials armed with handheld RFID readers clearing boxes is going to be a common site at Indian ports as well, and all this is going to happen due to the introduction of e-Sealing. It is seen by many as the next logical step followed by DPD to speed up Customs inspection and clearing. Notably, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) had introduced the new procedure for sealing of containerized export goods with effect from October 2017, however, only those exporters permitted for self-seal of their export containers are eligible to avail the benefit of the electronic sealing facility.

Why e-Seals