The Hindu : New norms for Customs House agents

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

Business

Business

New norms for Customs House agents

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 24. The Union Finance Ministry today announced some significant changes in regulations relating to Custom House Agents (CHA), including abolition of temporary licences for these agents.

The CHAs will now be given seven years to pass both written and oral examinations enabling them to become eligible for a licence. Besides, a CHA once licensed would be able to operate at all customs stations all over India after a simple intimation to the jurisdictional Commissioner.

The new regulations also stipulate that the fees to be charged by CHAs from their clients would be determined by market forces.

The educational qualification for CHA has been raised to that of a graduate or a professional degree holder with working knowledge of computers and customs procedures. The agent would also be required to be familiar with customs-related law as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The H-Card holder will continue to work as an H-card holder even if he fails in the Regulation 19 examination, which would have entitled him to a G-card. In case of a misdemeanour by the CHA, which does not necessitate either suspension or revocation of licence, his security deposit may be forfeited in part or in whole. The Directorate General of Investigations would conduct the written examination on an all India basis.

The new regulations are based on the recommendations of the Kelkar Committee and the High Power Committee on Transaction Cost of Indian Exports.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business