OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (IMPORT)
NEW CUSTOM HOUSE, BALLARD ESTATE, MUMBAI -400038.

P.N.No.32/2001

Date: 15.03.2001

PUBLIC NOTICE No.32/2001

Sub:

Introduction of Permanent Account Number (PAN) as the Common Business Identifier in Customs Operations.

Attention of the Trade including all Importers, Exporters and Custom House Agents is invited to Public Notice No. 73/2000 dated 6.7.2000. The said Public Notice was issued with a view to make Permanent Account Number (PAN) (issued by Income Tax) as the Common Business Identifier for all importers and exporters in Customs operation. It was further intimated vide Public Notice No.84/2000 that the implementation of the same has been postponed till further notice due to difficulties faced by importers and exporters in obtaining PAN from Income Tax authorities and further registration of the same in time with DGFT.

Now, it is notified that the P AN based validated directory of importers and exporters as compiled by DGFT will be implemented w.e.f. 1.4.2001. This will be applicable both for imports and exports. In view of this, the processing of documents relating to imports and exports, based on PAN and lE Codes is mandatory as the EDI System would process only such documents having the aforesaid data in the directory validated by DGFT.

It is to further inform all importers and exporters that the existing directory of importers and exporters based on lE Code created by Mumbai Custom House will cease to operate from 1.4.2001. Further, Mumbai Custom House will not register any fresh lE Code of any importer or exporter w.e.f. 1.4.2001 and all fresh registration would have to be communicated by the DGFT on-line to Delhi, Air Cargo System which would in turn transmit the same to Mumbai Custom House.

In case any error is noticed in the data, importers/exporters are advised to approach DGFT to get their data amended and transmitted to Customs EDI System on-line.

The PAN based identifier will be called Business Identification Number (BIN) and would be a 15 character data element comprising the following components :

PAN	FT	UNIT IDENTIFICATION CODE
(10 digit code)	(Foreign Trade)	(3 digits)

To ensure smooth functioning of imports and exports on EDI System, it is advised that :

1. All importers and exporters must ensure that they have submitted their P AN particulars to DGFT in response to the Public Notice issued by DGFT. From 1st April, 2001, only the DGFT directory of Importers and Exporters containing their PAN will be used by the Customs EDI System and any importer or exporter not figuring in the DGFT Directory will not be able to transact their business with Customs.
   
   
2. All importers and exporters who have as yet not applied to the Income Tax Authorities for allotment of PAN or if allotted, not registered with DGFT, are advised to do so immediately.
   
   
3. All importers, exporters and Custom House Agents must ensure that from 1st April, 2001, both P AN and lE Code are entered in the documents being filed in the Service Centre. The EDI System will not accept any document without the P AN being indicated;
   
   
4. The Trade is also advised that while indicating the name and address(es) of the importer/exporter, care must be taken to ensure that these particulars tally in all respects with those declared to the DGFT, otherwise the ED! System will not recognise the importer/exporter.
   
   
5. Exporters having their bank accounts in the designated Bank, for crediting of drawback, must ensure that their declaration to the bank of the particulars of P AN, lE Code, name and address(es ), branch codes of their office are the same in all respects as those declared to the Income Tax Department and DGFT so as to prevent any mismatch of information which may result in non-credit or wrong credit of the drawback amount.
   
   
6. From 1st April, 2001, only those bank account numbers which have been validated vis-à-vis the data received from DGFT will be treated as operational accounts. Account numbers not matched with the DGFT Directory information will be rendered inoperative.

All the Trade members are advised to take a special note of the Public Notice and are advised to take necessary steps to get themselves registered with DGFT so as to avoid inconvenience when the provisions of this Public Notice are implemented.

Sd/- (15.3.2001)
( M.C. THAKUR )
COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (IMPORT)
MUMBAI.


Attested by


( ROOPAM KAPOOR )
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS
(EDI)

Issued from f.No.S/1-144/99 EDP