CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION (CFS) Mulund east and Mulund west

Introduction
CFS is a place where containers are stuffed, de-stuffed and aggregation/ segregation of export/import cargo takes place. With the growing volume of international trade, the need for expeditious clearance of goods at the port within the minimum possible time has been gaining importance. For optimal utilization of existing infrastructure, space, equipment, goods that are landed at ports need to be evacuated straight away without any loss of time. Accordingly the concept of Container Freight Stations (CFS) has grown in importance along with the development and growth of ports.

 Established in November 1991, the Container Freight Station (CFS), Mulund is situated 29 Kms from Mumbai City on the Eastern Express Highway, just 3 Kms short of Thane. It spreads over an area of 35.88 acres (1,47,520 sq. Mtrs) with the Indian Railways Central Line bisecting it into Mulund (East) and Mulund (West). Mulund (West) spread over 12.88 acres (51, 520 Sq. Mtrs) accommodates Export Department and Mulund (E) covering 24 acres (96000 Sq. Mtrs) has the Import Department of the CFS. When the Bombay Commissionerate of Customs split into Import, Export and General Commissionerate, the export and import wings of CFS continued to function as part of Export Commissionerate. However, in December, 2000 the CFS Mulund was assigned to the Commissionerate of Customs (Gen), Mumbai and as result its export and import departments merged into a full fledged integrated and independent CFS.

 Today, it has an identity of its own and all operations from filling of bills of entry / shipping bills through assessment, examination, audit, duty payment and to final clearance of import as well export cargo are undertaken at Mulund itself. With effect from April 2001 duty drawback on exported goods is also being disbursed at CFS.

With the increased emphasis on automation and transparency with regard to Customs procedures, ICES & ICEGATE facility were also extended to CFS, Mulund. Export and Import modules of ICES became operation w.e.f. 29/09/2004 and 24/11/2004 respectively. The ICEGATE facility has also been made available w.e.f. 05/05/2005.

CUSTODIAN The Department has appointed Container Corp. of India (CONCOR), a Government of India Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, as the custodian of the Customs area notified at Mulund for the purpose of stuffing, de-stuffing, examination and clearance of containerized cargo.

However, CONCOR has, from the very beginning, entered into an agreement with Indira Rashtriya Kamgar Sahakari Society Ltd. (IRKSS), ( a Mulund based entity with former Maharashtra Chief Minister/ Defense Minister Shri Sharad Pawar as its honorary president), and thereby entrusted the latter with nearly all the CFS operations like handling and transportation of containers from Mulund to Nhava Sheva/Mumbai port and vice versa as also of handling of cargo within the CFS premises.

 The IRKSS have further subcontracted the handling and transportation of containers both cargo laden and empty to M/s. Seaport Containers Terminal Ltd. a Mumbai (Fort) based transport contractor. This contractor undertakes transportation of import containers from Nhava Sheva to Mulund and stuffing and transportation of export containers from Mulund to Nhava Sheva and Mumbai ports.
The internal handling of cargo (after de-stuffing of import containers and before stuffing of export containers) is, however, done by the IRKSS staff. Further for security of customs area, CONCOR has entered into an agreement with M/s. TRIG Detectives Ltd. Juhu, for providing round the clock security to the CFS premises.

GATEWAY PORT / AIRPORT

The containerized export cargo sealed at CFS feeds both the Nhava Sheva and Mumbai Ports.
The cargo moves by road on the trailers belonging to M/s. Seaport Container Terminal Ltd. About 80% of the containers go to Nhava Sheva Port and the remaining 20 % to Mumbai Port.

The import cargo on the other hand comes entirely from Nhava Sheva by rail (90%) via Panvel, Diva and Thane (about 70 Km journey) as well as by road (10%)

 CONCOR has also been allowed to transport export cargo in Customs-sealed trucks from CFS Mulund to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Sahar (w. e. f. October 2000) and to Ahmadabad Airport (w. e. f. June 2001) for its shipment by air. No export cargo has, however, so far moved to these gateway airports. Similarly, though CONCOR have been authorized to bring air cargo from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai and clear the same at Mulund, only once (in July 2001) has this facility been availed off.

IMPORTS
After logistics, goods shipped from port of origin to port of destination Handling charges to port operator Sub manifestation transfer permit (SMTP) , document filed by shipping line If all okay then customs permits container to come to Mulund Information that container has arrived is shared with the importers through newspapers, net, etc. The container is checked at gate for damage, seal no. is verified If seal is intact it means container is safe (OTL)

 Master IGM: document filed by carrier with Indian customs stating cargo, item, tonnage, hazardous/non-hazardous, etc which is carried from ___ port to ___port Sub IGM: filed at Mulund Bill of Entry: document filed by importer or customs service agent who is representative of the importer It states the seller, buyer, item, value, etc. It is assessed by the Indian Customs whether declaration of cargo is correct as per law(Indian Customs Act and Indian Foreign Policy) After assessment seal is opened, cargo is removed out of box for examination At this stage customs may draw some samples Check original landed cargo with Bill of Entry Custom duty paid to bank before assessment and receives a CHALAN Customs officer checks the CHALAN

 If actual cargo is not the same as assessed cargo then Customs officer and Asst. Commissioner is allowed to seize/hold/confiscate the cargo The Inspector is then called to give an explanation to Customs officer If he is satisfied with the explanation then he releases the goods If actual cargo is same as assessed cargo then it is cleared and COOC (customs out of charge) is issued, only then the cargo can be removed from the customs area If cargo taken without COOC, you can be booked under Indian Customs Act Custom duty is paid at port where cargo gets cleared

EXPORTS

BENEFITS OF CFS
Security and safety Whenever you have a Container Freight Station, you might have lots of benefits. The first is definitely making sure the safety of the item that you simply intend to ship. You may already know, the shipping is really a tedious method and looking after the precious items comes like a large problem for all those participate in shipping items. In this instance, buying freight containers may be the just choice that allows a person secure shipping of the items. Items might move organized and structured by using these types of storage containers. Furthermore, these types of shipping containers are constructed of this kind of materials which allows top quality water and climate evidence service. You might simply loosen up simply by keeping your precious items in these types of containers and can chill out, they are going to get the job done impeccably.

 Modification of area Area managing is definitely an issue with regards to retailing. Container Freight Station permit you to set up your items methodically. A person conserve lots of space and therefore enable much more items to appear in. This really is the primary reason the shipping providers like freight containers to their particular items and ship to remote areas. Each shipper wants for highest addition of items in their container.

 Save Time

Using Container Freight Station practically enables you to help save the packing time. Almost everything can be loaded in a sorted method and there isn't any stress of organizing it once more. There's always a period frame and inside that allowable time period, you need to finish your packing. Right here, you're vulnerable to create stress; even so, in case you are a very pleased operator of the freight container, you are able to rest as well as concentrate much more on some other facets of delivery your items.

 Container Variety Effectively, you don't have to ship the natural items in the exact similar container of shoes or boots. Every product has described storage containers and they're designed while using item aspect. You need to inform the container merchants regarding your item and they also allow you to get the best type of container that will function as the ideal one for the items. This really is obviously an excellent journey via production products to supplier warehouses. And also, for apparent factors the stockroom supervisors promote just high quality items. As a result choosing freight containers can help vendor to eliminate most issues and help out with attaining these products securely and safely by keeping the new physical appearance.

CONCLUSION
Software used is ETMS, Exim terminal management system Centralized in Delhi ICES 1.5 version Shipping line calls the CFS One time lock system All importers and exporters have to first register themselves As per Indian Customs Act of 1948, after 30 days if goods are still not taken then notice is given and if still no response then auction is done

THANK YOU