New system for faster customs clearance of exports

Launch of RMS in exports covers 11 Customs stations at Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Tutocorin

The government today rolled out an IT platform for faster clearance of exports. The Risk Management System (RMS) will cut down the time taken for customs clearance of cargo from few days to few hours.

“RMS for imports was launched in December 2005. Time for clearance of imports has come down from 76 hours in 2005 to three hours in 2013. I sincerely hope that with the introduction of RMS in exports, the dwell time which now ranges from 1.6 days to 3.68 days will be brought down to a few hours in exports too,” Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today while inaugurating the system.

He said benefits are expected to accrue to the trade also in terms reduced transaction costs, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of our export goods. The tax department will gain as it would bring additional revenue by plugging loopholes as some traders don’t do genuine exports/imports. RMS for imports had helped to bring in additional revenue of Rs 2,211 crore.

The launch of RMS in exports today covers 11 Customs stations at Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Tutocorin. It would be extended to all EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) customs stations by year end.

Chidambaram said RMS is a trust based IT system that expects the trade to make correct declarations to the customs and in view of its advantages, it s also being endorsed globally at all forums including WTO.

The finance minister also emphasized that success of any trade facilitation measure depends on compliance of legal requirements by trade. He urged the trade to comply with the legal provisions so that the customs department can ensure speedy clearance of the import and export goods.

India started using the RMS for imports in December 2005 and it has helped to bring in additional revenue of Rs 2,211 crore, Chidambaram added. It has also reduced the dwell time, or the duration for which cargo remains in transit storage while awaiting clearance, for incoming shipments.     

The time currently taken for customs clearance of export cargo in Mumbai is 1.6 days, while at the Inland Container Depot in Delhi it is 3.68 days.