47 Clearance of goods for home consumption

47. Clearance of goods for home consumption.

[(1)]  Where the proper officer is satisfied that any goods entered for home consumption are not prohibited goods and the importer has paid the import duty, if any, assessed  thereon and any charges payable under this Act in respect of the same, the proper officer may make an order permitting clearance of the goods for home consumption.

Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, permit certain class of importers to make deferred payment of said duty or any charges in such manner as may be provided by rules.

[(2)  Where the importer fails to pay the import duty, either in full or in part, within two days (excluding holidays)––

(a) from the date on which the bill of entry is returned to him for payment of duty; or

(b) in the case of deferred payment under the proviso to sub-section (1), from such due date as may be specified by rules made in this behalf,

he shall pay interest on the duty not paid or short-paid till the date of its payment, at such rate, not below ten per cent. and not exceeding thirty-six per cent. per annum, as may be fixed by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette

Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the class or classes of importers who shall pay such duty electronically:

 

 

Provided further that where the bill of entry is returned for payment of duty before the commencement of the Customs (Amendment) Act, 1991 and the importer has not paid such duty before such commencement, the date of return of such bill of entry to him shall be deemed to be the date of such commencement for the purpose of this section.]

[Provided also that if the Board is satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by order for reasons to be recorded, waive the whole or part of any interest payable under this section.]