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News CUSTOMS

  • Nov 05, 2024
  • Maintain balance between probes and ease of biz: CBIC to Customs

    In a bid to reach out to industry and limit the possible overreach of tax authorities in investigations, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has instructed the Customs field formations to maintain “balance” while carrying out investigations for tax evasion related to import and export of goods in the interest of “ease of doing business”. In the set of instructions issued on November 1, the CBIC said such evasion cases are categorised as commercial intelligence and fraud cases and they need to be differentiated from outright smuggling cases which involve contraband items.

    The CBIC has asked the field formations to not approve any such investigation without the approval of the commissioner and conclude investigation into commercial intelligence (CI) cases within a year. The Board has also asked officers to seek information and documents in CI matters in writing with full disclosure of the specific nature of the inquiry being initiated by the authorities.

    “The Commissioner is responsible for developing and approving any intelligence, investigation and its completion. Each investigation must be initiated only after the approval of the Commissioner. A CI case investigation must reach the earliest conclusion which is normally not more than one year,” the instructions issued by the Investigation-Customs wing of the CBIC under the Ministry of Finance said.