ENHANCED CUSTOMS CLEARANCE PROCEDURES

The procedures outlined in this document may be subject to change as the project progresses. More features may be added or removed as infrastructures are improved upon.

1. Preparation of SGD

Declarants prepare an SGD with information derived from relevant documents, e.g. Final Invoice, CCVO, Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill/ Road Waybill, Packing List, Permit (where necessary), Insurance, Form “M”, PAAR, etc. (These documents are obtained by the importer from the bank at which the e-Form “M” was validated) Where is an SGD prepared?

There are two locations:

1. Private DTI (Direct Trader Input) in the office of Importer or Agent
   A private DTI is connected to NCS Server via a PC and a telecom channel (internet, VSAT, radio, VPN). Using your private DTI prepare an SGD based on the approved Form “M”, CCVO, Bill of Lading, Packing List, RAR, etc:
   • Capture SGD information
   • Assess your SGD
   • Print the SGD and Assessment Notice
   • Sign the SGD and insert into a folder together with relevant documents, e.g. Invoice CCVO, Bill of Lading / Air Waybill / Road Waybill, Packing List, Permit where necessary, Insurance, Form “M”, RAR, etc.
2. Public DTI Café
   NCS has licenced several Public DTI Cafés
   Fill in an SGD based on relevant documents, as indicated above Go to a Public DTI Café where you will:
   • Capture SGD information
   • Assess your SGD
   • Print the SGD and Assessment Note
   • Sign the SGD and insert in a folder together with relevant documents, e.g. Invoice CCVO, Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill/ Road Waybill, Packing List, Permit where necessary, Insurance, Form “M”, RAR, etc.

***Direct Trader Input (DTI) is the unique procedure for submitting an electronic manifest to NCS.****

Note:

1. While capturing the SGD, specify the bank at which Customs Duty will be paid. It must be the bank indicated as the designated duty collection bank on the Form “M”.
2. If Form “M” is not required the importer/ Agent can pay at any preferred bank.
3. Take extreme care that the correct designated bank code as indicated on the Form “M” is captured to enable the system to send the Assessment to the appropriate bank.
4. After capturing the SGD correctly select the Assessment option in the NCS system. An electronic message will be sent to the designated bank with details of what should be paid as Customs Duty and other charges.

2. Pay at the Bank

At this stage you will proceed to your designated bank with your system generated assessment notice.

The Bank officer will match your printed assessment notice with the electronically received assessment notice for your SGD. If the information tallies the Bank will receive your payments and issue you a signed bank receipt.

The Bank System will then send an e-confirmation message to NCS to acknowledge that duties and taxes have been paid for your SGD.

3. Request Release

After Payment of Duties at the bank you go back to your office or DTI café and request the release of your consignment from the NCS system. NCS will release the goods after either scan or physical examination. The NCS system will not permit the release of goods if outstanding duty has not been fully paid.

Note:

The NCS system will not permit the release of goods if outstanding duty has not been fully paid. However, if any discrepancy is found, then it shall be entered into the Inspection Act, and the declaration is modified. If a dispute continues to exist, then dispute settlement mechanisms are followed. These may include allowing the importer to clear his goods on bank indemnity, an application for a tariff/valuation decision from the Tariff and Trade Department of NCS, an appeal to Honorable Minister of Finance, World Customs Organization (WCO) or ultimately taking the dispute to a court of competent jurisdiction.

4. Customs Control

When you request the release of your consignment through the NCS system, NCS Risk Management information will then determine the level of scrutiny that NCS will give your consignment.

There are four possible risk outcomes:
Green
Blue
Yellow
Red

Note:

• Green and Blue SGDs are “Customs Cleared” i.e. released from customs control and do not require any Customs intervention. You should go straight to the Terminal operator to claim your shipment.
• Yellow and Red are for SGDs requiring Document Checking and Scanning/Examination respectively.

5. Release of Consignment at Terminal Operator

Your SGD is now “Customs Cleared” and released from customs control.
Proceed to Terminal Operator (T/O) for issuance of Exit Note.
The NCS system will have electronically notified the T/O that your consignment is ready for release and T/O staff is now able to issue an Exit Note on NCS system after finalizing their own formalities.
The T/O will collect your SGD Folder and dispatch it to NCS.

6. Exit of Consignment at Gate

At the Gate a Customs Officer will acknowledge exit on the NCS system and a confirmation will be received that your consignment has been released and has exited the Port.