Custom cooperation among countries is a foundational pillar that has led to emergence of the global systems of TIR and ATA: Principal Commissioner & Head, International Customs Relations, CBIC

Mar 27, 2024

KOLKATA, 27 March 2024: Mr Vimal Kumar Srivastava, Principal Commissioner & Head of International Customs Relations, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, today said that globalization has led to the emergence of complex supply chains and global production networks, thus creating interdependence amongst countries. In this era of an inter- connected world, trade and commerce is a major driving force of geopolitics and custom department plays a pivotal role in facilitating international trade while ensuring regulatory compliances, he added.

Addressing the workshop on ‘ATA Carnet’ & ‘UN TIR’ system, organized by FICCI, jointly with the Oriental Chamber of Commerce (OCC), Kolkata, Mr Srivastava further stated that custom cooperation among countries is a foundational pillar that has led to the emergence of the global systems of TIR and ATA. He highlighted that India is committed to the idea espoused by the ATA Convention, i.e., the seamless flow of goods across borders and enhancement of Ease of Doing Business, and CBIC continues to be receptive to requests from industry that may require policy intervention in further liberalizing the flow of goods under the ATA System.

Mr Raj Kumar Chhajer, Chair, FICCI MSME Committee West Bengal, mentioned that the workshop will help exporting members in understanding various complexities of ATA Carnet & UN TIR system and will encourage businesses to make the best of their arrangements.

Mr Shoib Ahmed Faisal, Past President, OCC, Kolkata, said that workshops like these will help in creating awareness on facilities and free movement of goods across multiple international borders.

Mr PS Pruthi, Senior Consultant, FICCI, and Former Member Customs Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), noting the salient features of ATA Carnet & UN TIR system mentioned that ATA Carnet & UN TIR are successful examples of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model in international trade facilitation and will be a win-win collaboration for customs, FICCI, and the business community. He added that both are excellent examples of how national and international trade bodies and the governments of different countries come together to easing out the bottle necks in international trade in a mutually beneficial manner.

ATA Carnet is a temporary admission document, which simplifies the customs procedures and clearances in a foreign country, without paying duty or a bank guarantee for temporary import into that country. Like a passport for goods, ATA Carnet allows the goods for which it was issued to enter any of the participating countries for up to one year. An ATA Carnet holder can avoid customs declaration and can do away with security deposit or guarantee in the country of temporary importation.

TIR aims to facilitate the international transport of goods under customs seal with maximum coverage.  The system provides a guarantee covering the customs taxes and duties at risk which is required to pass transit countries and provides a balance between the responsibilities of the customs authorities and the international business community. It prevents delays in border crossing operations- by minimizing the formalities decreases the transportation costs, as a result, encourages the development of international trade.

FICCI is the sole National Issuing & Guaranteeing Association (NIGA) for the operation of ATA Carnet & UN TIR system in India and has been closely working with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, Government of India for the smooth operation of the system in the country.