Customs circulates steps for Encouraging Women participation in International Trade

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has released a Circular on Encouraging Women’s participation in International Trade. Via this Circular the Customs Department mentioned the steps how one can encourage the women’s participation in International Trade.

The Circular Read as follows:

Attention is invited to Board’s Circular No. 42/2013-Customs dated 25.10.2023 regarding setting up of ‘Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee’ (CCFC) and Circular No. 13/2015-Customs dated 13.04.2015 pertaining to Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) instituting a structured mechanism for receiving feedback from the trade and removing bottlenecks in procedure

To fully utilize commerce as a catalyst for equality, women must be represented at all levels. Women must also be represented in other trade-related job responsibilities and tasks, such as traders, customs house agents, freight forwarders, and customs brokers. Given the increasing engagement of women in the logistics sector, all parties, particularly Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) and trade associations, must make a concerted effort to address this issue.

In view of the above, it has been decided that the Chief Commissioners/ Commissioners should henceforth: –

i. Ensure Representation of women in the Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) and Customs Clearance Facility Committee (CCFC) meetings, preferably through women’s associations.

ii. Ensure inclusion of at least one agenda point from women’s perspective.

iii. Encourage the Trade bodies/ custodians to establish dedicated help desks and processing mechanisms for women traders and women logistics service providers.

iv. Support in upskilling women logistics service providers, freight forwarders and customs brokers by offering relevant training for women.

This Circular may be given wide publicity by issue of suitable Trade Notice/ Public Notice. Difficulties, if any, in the implementation of the above Circular may be brought to the notice of the Board.

For Official Circular Download PDF Given Below: