Customs to quickly release goods imported under FTAs

Importers were earlier facing delays in release of imports made under FTAs and even the duty concession benefits related to FTAs were denied. Moreover, importers were being forced to pay differential Customs duty with interest in the case of imports being made under third-party invoicing. MNCs generally import goods under third-party invoicing as the billing is done in a country other than the country of origin. CBIC has also clarified that any importer/exporter should not be forced to submit sensitive information such as import/export invoice, in case of third-party invoicing, thus maintaining commercial confidentiality across the supply chain.