CBIC notifies new Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations; Prescribes different license formats, prohibition period

CBIC notifies Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations 2018, thereby requiring a Customs Broker to hold a license to carry on business relating to entry or departure of conveyance or import or export of goods including audit work at any Customs Station; Bestows the responsibility of inviting applications upon Directorate General of Performance Management (DGPM), in lieu of Directorate General of Inspection of Customs and Central Excise (DGICCE), while prescribing additional conditions of holding Aadhaar number and valid PAN card, along with no penalty for an offence under GST laws; Individual applicant shall be granted Customs Broker License in Form B1 whereas License to a company, firm or association shall be granted in Form B2; Period prohibiting Customs Broker from transacting business in one or more of Customs Station shall not exceed one month from date thereof, provided that where the license is suspended as a consequence to prohibition, the time period for giving hearing opportunity and passing appropriate order, shall be reckoned from date of such suspension; Customs Broker or F-Card holder (person who has passed examination under Regulation 6) can file appeal u/s 129A of Customs Act to CESTAT, while G-Card holder (person who has passed examination under Regulation 13) may prefer appeal u/s 128 to Commissioner (Appeals) : CBIC Notification