Expediting assessment in Faceless Assessment Groups (FAG).

OFFICE AIR CARG

PUB Subject: Expediting asses Attention of Importer drawn towards various Cir streamline the process an Groups (FAG). 2. During the course o observed where owing to t documents at the time of f to be raised, which resulte the consignment. It is also uploaded in e-Sanchit or u situation where the Prope thus compelled to raise a verification of self-assessm 3. In this regard, atten drawn to the following g clearance of the goods in F i. Legible documents documents are uploaded in ii. IRN Number: Ensur properly linked with the co Number (IRN)/Document corresponding to Bill of En iii. Specific Descriptio Brand Name may be prov Functional/Pictorial Catal Sheet/User Manual, etc. w assessment and reduce Fi the imported goods are un The importers are also advi goods are FOC (Free of C samples or for personal use Ůधानआयुƅसीमाशुʋ(आयात) का कायाŊलय OF THE PR. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS हवाईमाल पįरसर, सहार, अंधेरी (पूवŊ), मुंबई - 40009 GO COMPLEX, SAHAR, ANDHERI (E), MUMB Email: Pro.acc-sahar@gov.in

Dated: 14.10 BLIC NOTICE NO. 51/2025 ssment in Faceless Assessment Group rs, Customs Brokers, and all other stak rculars issued by CBIC on Faceless Ass nd expedite assessment in Faceless A of the Faceless Assessment, instances the non-submission of complete inform filing the Bill of Entry (BE), Queries we d in a slower pace of assessment and c o noticed that essential documents are uploaded documents are not legible, le er Officer cannot view/read the docum Query. This is leading to delay in the ment by the FAG in some cases.

essment and c o noticed that essential documents are uploaded documents are not legible, le er Officer cannot view/read the docum Query. This is leading to delay in the ment by the FAG in some cases. ntion of the Importers and Customs general instructions for faster assess Faceless Assessment: s: Ensure that legible copies of all n e-Sanchit. re that all uploaded documents in e-S oncerned Bill of Entry, by tagging Image Reference Number (DRN) to all ntry. on, Model and Brand Name: Model d vided and as far as possible always logue/Technical Writeup/End use/Pro which will help the FAGs in verificati irst Check Examination/Queries raised nbranded, the text “UNBRANDED” ma ised to declare in description of goods w Cost/Charge), for testing purpose, for e. P | 1 (IMPORT), 99 BAI – 400099 0.2025 ps (FAG). keholders is sessment to Assessment have been mation and ere required clearance of e not being eading to a ment and is process of Brokers is sment and supporting Sanchit are e Reference documents details and upload the oduct Data ion of self- d. In cases, ay be used. whether the exhibition, CUS/AG/PN/11/2025-PRO-O/o Commr-Cus-Imp-Zone-III-Mumbai I/3433131/2025

e Reference documents details and upload the oduct Data ion of self- d. In cases, ay be used. whether the exhibition, CUS/AG/PN/11/2025-PRO-O/o Commr-Cus-Imp-Zone-III-Mumbai I/3433131/2025

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iv. Constituent material of the goods: Constituent material of the goods may be provided as far as possible which will help the FAGs in verification of Classification/Valuationof the goods and reduce First Check Examination/Queries raised. v. Supporting documents: Documents in support of declared value such as previous BEs, Purchase Order/Contract, Remittance Copy, etc. whichever is available may be uploaded to assist the Proper Officer in verification of self-assessment. vi. Exemption Notification claimed: Whenever duty exemption is claimed under any exemption notification, the conditions of duty exemption should be carefully studied and compliance documents must be uploaded. It must be ensured that the goods arecoveredby such exemption. vii. Allied Acts/Rules: If the importation of goods requires Registration under Customs Allied Acts/Rules, the same must be completed before filing the Bill of Entry and a copy of required certificate should be uploaded in e- Sanchit. viii. Supplier and Manufacturer Details: In cases, where duty applicability is based on Manufacturers/Suppliers such as Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD), Safeguard Duty (SD) etc. the details of Manufacturers/Suppliers must be provided. In case of products attracting ADD, these details would require to be mandatorily provided. ix.

uty (ADD), Safeguard Duty (SD) etc. the details of Manufacturers/Suppliers must be provided. In case of products attracting ADD, these details would require to be mandatorily provided. ix. Item Qualifiers: Certain imported items may have distinctive characteristics or be identified by industry-specific nomenclature, including scientific names or the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature e.g. Chloroform (Trichloromethane), Glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) (also known as glycerine), etc. These item names or qualifiers may be declared, as applicable, for verification by the Proper Officer.
x. First Time Import: First time importers are required to submit KYC (Know Your Client) documents in terms of Public Notice No. 41/2025 dated 23.09.2025.It is advisable that this process may be completed well in advance. xi. Query Reply: Whenever a Query is raised seeking specific information/document, it should be replied with relevant and specific answer providing information/documents required. If any document is uploaded in response to a Query, the IRN/DRN No. of the said document should be mentioned in the Query reply. xii. Provisional Assessment: While filing a Bill of Entry under 'Provisional Assessment' under Section 18 of the Customs Act, 1962 due to pending SVB Investigation or for any other reasons, it is requested that proper reason for opting Provisional Assessment must be mentioned and a CUS/AG/PN/11/2025-PRO-O/o Commr-Cus-Imp-Zone-III-Mumbai I/3433131/2025

gation or for any other reasons, it is requested that proper reason for opting Provisional Assessment must be mentioned and a CUS/AG/PN/11/2025-PRO-O/o Commr-Cus-Imp-Zone-III-Mumbai I/3433131/2025

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declaration giving these reasons may also be uploaded in e-Sanchit. That will be of added advantage at the time of finalization of assessment. xiii. Country of Origin: Wherever preferential rate of duty is claimed based on Country of Origin Certificate, and BE is facilitated by Risk Management System (RMS) for Out of Charge (OOC), in order to avoid query at shed, it is advised that goods registration should be done only after getting the Country of Origin certificate defaced by Turant Suvidha Kendra (TSK). xiv. First Check Examination: While filing a Bill of Entry for First Check Examination, the proper reason for opting such 'First Check Examination' like FOC (Free of Cost/Charge), temporary import, verification of Classification/Valuation/Quantity/Rate of Duty or other parameters, must be mentioned and a declaration giving these reasons also uploaded in e- Sanchit. It is advised that the importers must not request First Check Examination on a regular basis. The request for First Check examination should be genuine and should not be routinely used to avoid self- assessment. xv. Re-import of goods: Wherever the goods are re-imported after exportation under various schemes, the relevant export documents like Shipping Bill, Export Invoice, Packing List, etc. must be uploaded in e- Sanchit.

ods: Wherever the goods are re-imported after exportation under various schemes, the relevant export documents like Shipping Bill, Export Invoice, Packing List, etc. must be uploaded in e- Sanchit. The importers are also advised to upload proof of reversal of export benefits in e-Sanchit, wherever applicable. 4. List of documents: The list of documents required to be uploaded varies as per the imported goods. Assessing Groups list of documents that are generally required to be uploaded is listed in Annexure-1 to this Public Notice. However, it may be noted that the provided list is not exhaustive. The importer may be required to upload additional documents depending on the nature of imported goods and the necessity of assessment. Further, the Proper Officer may ask for additional documents if necessary for verification of self-assessment of the importer. 5. Anonymised Escalation Mechanism (AEM) & Turant Suvidha Kendras (TSKs): Faceless Assessment has brought standardisation and uniformity in the Customs processing. To address delays in clearance of live Bills of Entry, a tri-layered Grievance Redressal Mechanism comprising the Anonymised Escalation Mechanism (AEM) [Circular No. 14/2021-Customs dated 07.07.2021 & 23/2022-Customs dated 03.11.2022], Turant Suvidha Kendras (TSKs) [Circular No. 28/2020-Customs dated 05.06.2020 & 45/2020-Customs dated 12.10.2020, Instruction No. 09/2020 dated 05.06.2020], and National Assessment Centres (NACs) [Circular No.

ha Kendras (TSKs) [Circular No. 28/2020-Customs dated 05.06.2020 & 45/2020-Customs dated 12.10.2020, Instruction No. 09/2020 dated 05.06.2020], and National Assessment Centres (NACs) [Circular No. 40/2020-Customs dated 04.09.2020 & 13/2023-Customs dated 31.05.2023] has been institutionalised.
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The AEM allows ICEGATE registered users to raise online grievances after filing the Bill of Entry which will automatically route the grievance to the concerned FAG/Import Shed, with a notification to Additional/Joint Commissioners of Customs of the concerned FAG and Port of Import The Trade can also bring any issues of delay to the notice of the concerned Additional/Joint Commissioner of Customs of Port of Import or reach out to Turant Suvidha Kendra (TSK) at the Port of Import that acts as a Facilitation Helpdesk for any grievance related to clearances of the BE filed for the Port. ICES (System) application issues should be reported to ICEGATE help desk by raising a web-ticket at https://icegatehelpdesk@icegate.gov.in/ Tel-1800- 3010-1000. 6. National Assessment Centres: National Assessment Centres (NACs) are entrusted to monitor and analyse the grievances that are being raised due to non-uniformity in their respective FAGs. For effective monitoring of functioning of FAGs and redressal of import related grievances relating to Faceless Assessment, NACs take proactive measures to minimise grievances.
There are total 8 NACs [Circular No.

toring of functioning of FAGs and redressal of import related grievances relating to Faceless Assessment, NACs take proactive measures to minimise grievances.
There are total 8 NACs [Circular No. 13/2023-Customs dated 31.05.2023] organized commodity-wise according to the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as mentioned below:

(i) Primary Products (Chapter 1 - 26) (Group – 1);

(ii) Mineral Products (Chapter 27) (Group - 1A);

(iii) Chemicals (Chapter 28-49) (Group – 2, 2(A-F), 2G, 2(H-K));

(iv) Textile Products (Chapter 50-71) (Group - 3,3A);

(v) Metal Products (Chapter 72-83) (Group - 4);

(vi) Mechanical Machineries (Chapter 84) (Group - 5);

(vii) Electric Machineries (Chapter 85) (Group – 5A);

(viii) Automobile, Instruments, Misc. Products & Project Imports

(Chapter 86-98) (Group – 5B, 5F, 5S, 5I, 6). To enable easy access, consolidated contact details of NACs have been provided at Annexure-2. 7. National Assessment Centres (Mechanical Machineries): Mumbai Customs Zone-III is the National Convenor for “Machinery and Mechanical Appliances” covering Faceless Assessment Groups 5 (CTH 8401- CTH 8469), 5E (CTH 8470 – CTH 8473) and 5N (CTH 8474 – CTH 8487).

ustoms Zone-III is the National Convenor for “Machinery and Mechanical Appliances” covering Faceless Assessment Groups 5 (CTH 8401- CTH 8469), 5E (CTH 8470 – CTH 8473) and 5N (CTH 8474 – CTH 8487). Special attention of the importers, Customs Brokers, and all other stakeholders is also drawn to the new initiative wherein a separate link has been created in the ACC, Mumbai website - https://mumbaicustomszone3.gov.in/ where a compilation of Notifications/Circulars/P.Ns/Case Laws relevant to NAC 5 CUS/AG/PN/11/2025-PRO-O/o Commr-Cus-Imp-Zone-III-Mumbai I/3433131/2025

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have been uploaded, so as to serve as a ready reckoner and guidance tool to expedite the Assessment process.
8. Difficulties, if any, in implementation of this Public Notice, may be brought to the notice of the Additional Commissioner of Customs, Technical (Import), ACC, Mumbai (email-pro.acc-sahar@gov.in). For assistance, clarification and information, Importers and Customs Brokers may contact our Help Desk at TSK (Turant Suvidha Kendra) at email- tsk.accmumbaizone3@gov.in/Tel-022-26816696 or visit our official website at https://mumbaicustomszone3.gov.in.

(Manish Chandra)
Pr. Commissioner of Customs (Import) ACC, Mumbai. Copy:

1. The Pr. Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Customs Zone –III, Mumbai.
2. The Commissioner of Customs (Export), ACC, Mumbai
3. All Additional/Joint Commissioners of Customs (Import), ACC, Mumbai
4. All Additional/Joint Commissioner of Customs (Export), ACC, Mumbai

. The Commissioner of Customs (Export), ACC, Mumbai 3. All Additional/Joint Commissioners of Customs (Import), ACC, Mumbai 4. All Additional/Joint Commissioner of Customs (Export), ACC, Mumbai 5. All Deputy/Assistant Commissioners of Customs (Import & Export), ACC, Mumbai 6. Trade Associations 7. CB Associations (BCBA) 8. MIAL / Air India 9. EDI section (for updation on Website) 10. Office Copy

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Annexure-1 A. Apart from mandatory documents like Invoice, Packing List and Bill of Lading following documents are required to be uploaded, wherever applicable:

1. Country of Origin Certificate.
2. Duly filled Section-I, II and III of Form-I, if Preferential Rate of Duty is claimed based on RVC content of the originating goods.
3. Order in Originalor Investigation Report issued by SVB where buyer and seller are related.
4. Copy of Shipping Bill and reversal of export benefits claimed during export where Re-Import notification benefit is claimed.
5. BIS registration certificate where goods fall under the mandatory requirement of BIS.
6. LMPC Certificate under the Legal Metrology Act, 2008 and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodity) Rules, 2011, for the goods falling under the purview of LMPC Rules, 2011.
7. Documents like, RCMC, AEPC, EPCH, MTCTE, Concessional Duty Certificate from relevant organization, etc. wherever the condition of duty exemption notification requires submitting such documents.
8. Special Import Licence for prohibited/restricted goods.

Certificate from relevant organization, etc. wherever the condition of duty exemption notification requires submitting such documents. 8. Special Import Licence for prohibited/restricted goods. 9. High Sea Sale Agreement along with sale invoice wherever such sale has occurred. 10. Registration Certificate from CPCB/SPCB for fulfilling Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), wherever it is mandatory.

B. Apart from the above, the following are the various Appraising Groups list of documents that are required to be uploaded, if applicable. Sr.N o Group Documents required to be uploaded, whichever applicable 1. 1/1B 1.Valid Test Report or previous Test Report in case of import of Gypsum and Petroleum Products.

2. Coal Import Monitoring System (CIMS) Registration

3. Challan evidencing return of Export Incentive in case of Re-export, copy of Shipping Bills.

4. Phytosanitary Certificate.

5. Label evidencing MRP, Manufacturing Date and Expiry Date.

on

3. Challan evidencing return of Export Incentive in case of Re-export, copy of Shipping Bills.

4. Phytosanitary Certificate.

5. Label evidencing MRP, Manufacturing Date and Expiry Date.

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6. Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Certificate, wherever required.

7. Animal Quarantine (AQ) NOC

8. Plant Quarantine (PQ) NOC

9. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) NOC

10. State Excise Licence/Permit (For Liquor), as applicable

2/2(A- B)

1. Import Permit Registration Certificate wherever applicable.

2. Copy of application of said Permit/ Registration certificate with Central Insecticides Board (CIB), wherever applicable.

3. Previous Test Report.

4. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/Technical Data Sheet of Supplier

5. Declaration of Category of Hazardous Goods

6. Certificate of Analysis (CoA).

7. Fertilizer Registration Certificate

8. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) Regd. Certificate

9. Dual Use NOC (CDSCO)

2(C-F)

1. CDSCO Registration Certificate along with Annexure of Products, wherever applicable.

2. Intellectual Property rights (IPR) registration copy for branded goods registered with IPR Section.

3. PESO Certificate for explosive goods wherever

4. Duty Exemption certificate for research goods from CSIR, DRDO etc. and from Head of Institution where benefit claimed. (Refer CBIC Notification No.-51/1996 Customs dated 23.07.1996)

5. Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) NOC for NDPS goods wherever applicable.

from Head of Institution where benefit claimed. (Refer CBIC Notification No.-51/1996 Customs dated 23.07.1996)

5. Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) NOC for NDPS goods wherever applicable.

6. Form-G under Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 for import of Bio- Stimulants.

7. Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) License/Import Permit wherever applicable.

2(G)

1. Registration Certificate under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)in case of goods falling under Plastic Waste Management Rules-2022 (PWM- 2022).

2. End-use Certificate/Reasons for non-applicability of EPR under PWM-

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3. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Certificate or application status on CPCB Portal.

2(H-K)

1. Valid Test Report or previous Test Report, if any.

2. Certificate of Analysis

3. Declaration of Category of Hazardous goods

4. Eligibility Certificates to the owners of registered publications for the import of Newsprint.

5. Import certificate from Council of Leather Export for availing duty exemption.

3

1. Valid Test Report or previous Test Report in case of import of Textile and Textile Material.

2. Azo Dyes Test Report from the Textile Committee or Textile Testing Laboratory accredited to the National Agency of the Country of Origin. (Refer to DGFT Public Notice No. 14/2023 dated 14.06.2023 for list of countries exempted for presence of Azo Dyes in Textiles and Textile Articles)

3. DGFT License

4 1.

Country of Origin. (Refer to DGFT Public Notice No. 14/2023 dated 14.06.2023 for list of countries exempted for presence of Azo Dyes in Textiles and Textile Articles)

3. DGFT License

4

1. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Registration, Steel Imports Monitoring System (SIMS) Certificate, Non-Ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System (NFMIMS) Certificate, Mill Test Certificate (MTC)

2. Landing permission in terms of Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016.

3. MTC of RAW material to establish correlation with Raw material supplier and Manufacturer of imported goods.

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate in accordance with national/international standards. 8. 5(5/5E /5N)

1. In the case of old and used Capital Goods:

a. Inspection Report issued by Charted Engineer (C.E), or their equivalent based on country of sale; or

b. Inspection Report issued by locally empanelled Charted Engineer (C.E), in the absence of (a) above and certificate issued by the Institute of Chartered Engineers which qualifies the CE to perform such appraisement/inspection along with Custom House letter/PN empanelling him.

2. Re-Import/Repair and Return cases:

a. Export Invoice and Shipping Bills

b. Proof of Inspection/ Appraisement Report issued by locally empanelled Charted Engineer in case of availed notification no. 153/94 Cus. dated 13.07.1994 (for import of goods of foreign origin for repairs and return basis).

c. Product Sales Catalogue, Technical Literature/write up on nature of goods.

otification no. 153/94 Cus. dated 13.07.1994 (for import of goods of foreign origin for repairs and return basis).

c. Product Sales Catalogue, Technical Literature/write up on nature of goods.

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3. Chartered Engineer Certificate.

4. Value Worksheet.

5.Import Authorisation/Import Licence for Restricted goods (Refer DGFT Notification No. 23/2023 dated 03.08.2023)

• The importer to ensure that the uploaded Import Authorisation/Import Licence has been registered with Port of Import and has sufficient balance for Quantity and Value.

5A(5A/ 5C/5M )

1. EPRA for E-Waste and Battery Waste.

2. Registration under Chip Import Monitoring System (CHIMS).

3. Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) License/Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for equipment using radio frequency

4. Test Report of National NTH

5. Form 6, Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate

6. Analytical Cert/ Prior Consent from MOEFCCC.

5B(5V, 5F,5S, 5I)

1. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Certificate in case of X-ray based equipment.

2. MD 14, MD 15 from CDSCO in case of Medical equipment.

3. CDSCO NOC

4. Charted Engineer Certificate.

6

1. Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity Certificate (LMPC)

2. BIS

3. Country of Origin Certificate

C. Importers and Custom Brokers are advised to comply with the instructions contained in Board Circular No. 55/2020-Cus dated 17.12.2020 and submit the documents enlisted in the Annexure of the said circular, to avoid query during assessment.

Annexure - 2