NEW DELHI, December 20: The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is launching a new fast-track clearance procedure from Jan 1, 1998 for clearance of import consignments. Under the new scheme importers will be authorised to assess their own goods, file bills of entry, make payment of duty on their own assessment and take clearance of goods.

This scheme will be open to government departments, public sector undertakings, units in export processing zones, 100 per cent export oriented units including units in Hardware Technology Parks and Software Technology Parks, importers of electronic goods having investment of Rs 30 crore and above and 20 top importers with each custom house.

Recently the board has also introduced another provision for filing bills of entry 30 days in advance of expected date of arrival of goods. The importers can now file their documents in advance before the arrival of goods and make payment of customs duty and take delivery immediately.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.