Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
With Inputs from Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 16: In a record of sorts, Mangaluru Customs has become the first Customs Commissionerate in the country to get comprehensive license/certification for the entire Commissionerate involving all formations.

Customs commissioner M Subramanyam informed that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted Service Quality Management Systems (SQMS) certification to Mangaluru Customs Commissionerate on November 14 for IS 15700: 2005.

The license has been granted to the headquarters office at New Custom House, Panambur and other formations namely docks office (including passenger terminal and container freight station), old port, Mangaluru, Mangalore International Airport, air cargo complex, customs division and custom house, Karwar, customs preventive unit, Malpe (including Customs Special Preventive Unit, Kundapur) and customs preventive unit, Kumta (including Customs Special Preventive Unit, Honnavar and Bhatkal).

Sevottam is an initiative of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) to deliver service quality to citizens as per SQMS standard IS 15700:2005 of the BIS. Customs Commissionerate in Mangaluru has been awarded the sevottam symbol of excellence which proved that it has really excelled in public service meeting customer requirements as well as relevant legal, statutory and regulatory requirements.

“The BIS undertook an elaborate audit of the entire process of implementation of Sevottam including interalia compliance to standards, record keeping, internal audits, preventive and corrective action taken. On being satisfied that the standards for implementation have been met, the license was granted for three years up to November 13, 2020,” said Subramanyam.

“The service deliverables covered in the license are acknowledgement of written communication, conveying of decisions on matters, disposal of refund/drawback claims, remittance of drawback, examination and clearance of export consignments, clearance of import goods, release of seized goods, release of seized documents, documented procedure for complaint handling and infrastructure for all formations in a time bound manner.

“In line with the Service Quality Policy and the Citizen Charter of the CBEC, the Commissionerate is committed to encourage, facilitate and assist existing and potential assessees/importers/exporters to voluntarily discharge their tax obligations and to provide them services necessary in meeting these obligations. The Commissionerate having been licensed for IS 15700:2005, is committed to continually improve the standards of services and the effectiveness of the SQMS with the objective of enhancing customer satisfaction,” he said.