Importers and exporters required to use digital signatures from January 1: CPEC

NEW DELHI: Importers and exporters will from January 1 have to mandatorily use digital signatures to file documents, the Central Board of Excise and Customs, the apex indirect taxes body, has said.

"With effect from 1.01.2016, all importers and exporters using the services of Customs Brokers for formalities under Customs Act, 1962, will be required to mandatorily file custom documents under the digital signature certificates," it said in a circular to field officials. Further, wherever the customs process documents are digitally signed, the customs will not insist on the user to physically sign the said documents, it said.

However, the above does not apply to importers or exporters desirous of filing Bill of Entry or shipping Bill individually. They may have the option of filing declarations or documents without using digital signature.