The erstwhile CBEC had issued a Circular No. 33/2016 dated 22.07.2016 stating that the AEO Programme Manager shall take into account the possible difficulties for MSMEs in meeting with eligibility conditions and criteria with a view to make the AEO certificates more available to MSMEs.
Now, in view of the above circular and the Prime Minister's Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to support MSMEs against the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBIC vide Circular No. 54/2020 - Customs dated 15 December 2020 has decided to relax the entire gamut of compliance and security requirements for MSMEs. The said relaxations have been extended to ensure that the MSMEs are facilitated through rationalized compliance requirements and minimum but effective security requirements. Following are the key relaxations provided to the MSMEs:
It has been further provided that the relaxations shall apply only to applicants who have a valid MSME certificate. Furthermore, the approved MSME are required to ensure their continuous MSME status during the validity of its AEO certification, if granted.
All in all, the AEO accreditation for MSME now requires submission of only two annexures for AEO T1 and three annexures for AEO T2 applicants respectively.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this update is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal opinion or advice. Readers are requested to seek formal legal advice prior to acting upon any of the information provided herein. This update is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or corporate body. There can be no assurance that the judicial/ quasi judicial authorities may not take a position contrary to the views mentioned hereinrra quis.
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