Attention of importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders is invited to DGFT Notification No.52/2015-20 dated 07.03.2018, vide which the import and export policy of DGFT had been further amended outlining the prohibitions on imports from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)/North Korea and exports to DPRK/North Korea in para 2.17 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20.
DGFT has also issued Trade Notice No.16/2020 dated 16th May 2019 to further clarify item descriptions and corresponding HS codes relevant to the said notification dated 07.03.2018.
2. The provisions relating to prohibition on direct or indirect import and export from/to DPRK are now stipulated in Para 2.18 and Appendix I of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
3. The importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders are advised to strictly adhere to the aforementioned policy provisions and submit correct data while filing a Bill of Entry or Shipping Bill. Any wrong declaration with regard to Country of Origin/Destination may invite penal action, besides other appropriate action under Customs Act 1962. In case of inadvertent data entry mistakes or bonafide errors in data submission, prompt corrective action should be taken by filing an amendment prior to the clearance of the goods.
4. Instances have come to light where the Country of Origin/Destination has been erroneously mentioned as DPRK (North Korea) (KP), and yet such import/export consignments were cleared without the requisite amendments.
5. In this regard, attention is drawn to Board’s Instruction No.19/2020-Customs dated 18.11.2020, directing all Customs field formations to S/22-Gen-133/2017-18/AM(I) I/1747121/2024 ensure strict compliance of the legal prohibitions in force in regard to imports/exports from/to DPRK (North Korea), and in case of bonafide errors in data entry, the Customs clearance (OOC/LEO) is to be allowed only after amending the Bill of Entry/Shipping Bill to delete the incorrect reference to DPRK (North Korea) and mentioning the correct Country of import/export (other than North Korea).
6. JNCH Officers are hereby once again directed to meticulously follow RMS instructions in this regard and comply with the above Board’s Instruction.
7. This Public Notice should be considered as Standing Order for the concerned Officers and Staff of this Custom House.
8. In case of any difficulty, the same may be brought to the notice of Additional Commissioner in charge of Appraising Main (Import), NS-I (email address:
appraisingmain.jnch@gov.in ).
Sd/-
P. N. Pandey, Pr. Commissioner of Customs, NS-I, JNCH