is selected on random selection basis and examined. Also, the goods may be
examined prior to assessment in case the importer does not have complete information
with him at the time of import and requests for examination of the goods before
assessing the duty liability or, if the Customs Appraiser/Assistant Commissioner feels
the goods are required to be examined before assessment. This is called First Check
Appraisement. The importer has to request for First Check Appraisement at the time
of filing the Bill of Entry or at data entry stage giving the reason for the same. The
Customs Appraiser records on original copy of the Bill of Entry the examination order
and returns the Bill of Entry to the importer/CHA for being taken to the import shed for
examination of the goods. Thereafter, Shed Appraiser/Dock Examiner examines the
goods as per examination order and records his findings. In case appraising group
has called for samples, he forwards sealed samples accordingly. The importer is
required to bring back the said Bill of Entry to the assessing officer for assessing the
Bill of Entry, which is countersigned by Assistant/Deputy Commissioner if the value is
more than Rs.1 lakh.
4.2 The imported goods can also be examined subsequent to assessment and payment
of duty. This is called Second Check Appraisement. Most of the consignments are
cleared on Second Check Appraisement basis. In this case whole of the consignment
is not examined and only those packages which are selected on random basis are
examined.
4.3 Under the EDI system, the Bill of Entry, after assessment by the appraising group or
first appraisement, as the case may be, needs to be presented at the counter for
registration for examination in the import shed. A declaration for correctness of entries
and genuineness of the original documents needs to be made at this stage. After
registration, the Bill of Entry is passed on to the shed Appraiser for examination of the
goods. Alongwith the Bill of Entry, the CHA is required to present all the necessary
supporting documents. After examination of the goods, the Shed Appraiser enters the
report in EDI system and transfers first appraisement Bill of Entry to the appraising
group and gives ‘out of charge’ in case of already assessed Bills of Entry. Thereupon,
the system prints Bill of Entry and order of clearance (in triplicate). All these copies
carry the examination report, order of clearance number and name of Shed Appraiser.
Two copies each of Bill of Entry and the order are to be returned to the CHA/importer,
after the Appraiser signs them. One copy of the order is attached to the Customs copy
of Bill of Entry and retained by the Shed Appraiser.