Date:03/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/03/stories/2006010313100300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bangalore Customs revenue goes up

Staff Reporter

Courier express clearance facility launched at Air Cargo Complex

10 per cent increase in revenue compared with last year
Over 1,500 city-based industrial units are enjoying duty-free privilege

Revenue from Mangalore commissionerate likely to fall due

BANGALORE: Despite the slash in Customs and Import Duties, the Bangalore Customs earned a revenue of more than Rs. 1,373 crores till December. This is an increase of over 10 per cent compared with last year's figures, according to Bangalore Customs Commissioner P.R. Chandrashekharan.

Addressing presspersons after opening customs clearance facilities for imports through courier mode here, Mr. Chandrashekharan said the value of imports at Bangalore commissionerate increased by 20 per cent this year. The increase in revenue through customs duty is substantial, considering the cut in customs duty and increase in duty-free commodities. Over 1,500 city-based industrial units are enjoying duty-free privilege in various sectors, he said.

More than two-thirds of the customs collected in Bangalore commissionerate is from IT companies, he said. This is followed by telecom and medical equipment firms. State Customs Chief Commissioner Heera Radhakrishnan said the revenue from Mangalore Commissionerate is likely to fall due to sharp decline in import of petroleum products.

She later launched the first-ever Customs courier express clearance facility at Bangalore Air Cargo Complex for DHL. The special facility by the Customs authorities will enable DHL to clear shipments to the city from several international destinations in express mode, she said.