ECL mandatory for courier imports from today

New Delhi, Feb 29:  The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced that the Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL) will be the mandated mode of payment for import duties on goods imported through international courier terminals starting March 1.

With the introduction of ECL, Express Industry can make payments through multiple banks as per convenience by internet banking and NEFT/RTGS from the existing one bank.

Earlier, the Electronic Cash Ledger was implemented for payment of Import Duties for cargo processed through EDI at Seaports, Airports, ICDs and LCSs from April 1.

For implementing the new payment system by use of ECL, handholding of the trade was done by means of registration mela and webinars conducted by DG Systems, CBIC, from October to December 2023 to familiarise different stakeholders before the launch of ECL for Express Cargo Industry.

A pilot phase was started on January 1and the same was expanded in phases to Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and all other International Courier Terminal locations. Since February 12, the pilot has been running successfully in all the locations without any glitches in the system.