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Exporters Withdraw Cargo Amidst Middle East Flight Suspensions
8 Mar
Summary
- Exporters are withdrawing cargo due to flight suspensions to the Middle East.
- Customs authorities are waiving demurrage charges for stranded consignments.
- The "Back-to-Town" process allows exporters to reclaim goods from customs.
Exporters are actively withdrawing consignments from terminals to avoid accumulating demurrage charges. This critical decision follows the suspension of airline operations to the Middle East due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The "Back-to-Town" process, which allows for the withdrawal of goods from customs areas, is being utilized to reclaim stranded cargo.
Recognizing the extraordinary circumstances, customs authorities in several locations, including Mundra, Kandla, and Nhava Sheva, have issued public notices waiving the typical ₹1,000 levy associated with "Back-to-Town" withdrawals. While some seek retrospective application of these waivers, the move is intended to alleviate hardship and prevent terminal congestion.
This initiative by the Customs department aims to mitigate economic damage for exporters facing disrupted travel options. Government departments are in continuous dialogue with trade representatives to address these challenges and provide further guidance. The relaxation applies to stranded export containers where the Export General Manifest has not yet been filed.
