ommissioner of Customs (Preventive), Sadhu Narasimha Reddy, visited the Kakinada Custom House on Tuesday to address concerns raised by local stakeholders. The discussion primarily focused on the challenges related to the newly implemented Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR) and technical issues with the CBLMS Portal.
Commissioner Reddy assured traders that a training session on SCMTR would be organised soon, and the technical issues with the CBLMS Portal would be referred to the technical team for quick resolution.
The export of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice was also discussed. Commissioner Reddy clarified that Customs’ involvement begins only once the rice enters the Customs-notified area at the Anchorage Port (JJ Ghatty). He emphasised that verifying the origin or source of procurement of rice for export is outside Customs’ jurisdiction.
BV Krishna Rao, President of the Rice Exporters Association, assured that their association follows the law and will cooperate with enforcement agencies to prevent any diversion of PDS rice for export.
G Chandrasekhar, President of the Stevedores Association, announced that they would temporarily halt the handling of white rice exports until clearer guidelines are issued.
The meeting also noted the operation of an integrated check post at the port area since August 5, 2024. The check post, ordered by the District Collector of Kakinada, is manned 24×7 by officials from Police, Civil Supplies, Revenue, and Port Staff, conducting random checks on incoming vehicles. Exporters are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Civil Supplies Department to allow rice-loaded vehicles into the port.
Commissioner Reddy instructed Customs officials to assist the Civil Supplies Department and reiterated that Customs’ role is to verify whether the rice matches the details in the shipping documents before granting export permission.
The Commissioner also announced that the Chief Commissioner of Customs & Central Tax, Visakhapatnam Zone, would soon convene a meeting with stakeholders from all Customs formations across Andhra Pradesh. The date for the meeting will be communicated soon.
The meeting was attended by senior Customs officials, including Additional Commissioner G. Ramakrishna Raju Yadav, Assistant Commissioners N Ravi Kumar, GSR Naidu, B Mahesh Babu, and Port Officer Capt Dharma Sastha, along with representatives from the Rice Exporters Association, Steamer Agents Association, and other stakeholders.
