Custodian should Provide Computer Systems in AC Environment to Customs, Says CBEC

Subject: Provisions relating to EDI infrastructure under the “Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations, 2009”.

F.No.450/55/2008-Cus.IV

[Ref: CBEC Circular No. 21 dated 04.08.2009]

A reference is invited to the “Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations, 2009” (referred in short as ‘regulations’) and the circular No.13/2009-Customs dated 23.3.2009 issued indicating the salient features of the regulations.

2. In Regulation 5(1)(j), the requirements of adequate Air-conditioned space and other facilities such as power back up, hardware, networking and other equipments for secure connectivity with Customs Automated Systems and for exchange of information between Customs community partners was specified to be provided by the applicant for custody and handling of imported or export goods in a customs area. Further, the aforesaid requirements have also been explained in detail in para 5.2 of the above mentioned circular.

3. In this regard, it is clarified that in addition to the infrastructure required to be provided as mentioned in para 5.2 of the circular No.13/2009-Customs, the custodian shall provide networking, communication equipments, Uninterrupted Power Supply System, computers, PCs, dump terminals, servers, printers and other computer peripherals as may be specified by the Directorate General of Systems. To this extent, the last line of the paragraph 5.2 of the circular No.13/2009-Customs may be treated as modified as follows:

“5.2. As regards the requirement of the Customs EDI Systems under Regulation 5(1)(j), the infrastructure required to be provided by the custodian shall include the Civil and electrical infrastructure including properly air-conditioned office space……. shall also be provided. (last line modified is as follows) In addition to the above, the custodian would be required to undertake site preparation including civil works, electrical works, electrical fittings, air-conditioning, etc. they would also provide DG Set for power back up and link to the EDI Server. The networking, communication equipments, Uninterrupted Power Supply System, Computers/Personal Computers/Thin Clients, servers, printers and other computer peripherals as may be specified by the Directorate General of Systems shall also be provided by the custodian.”

4. Any difficulties in implementation of these Regulations may be brought to the notice of the Board immediately.