new payment system glitch: Shipment from abroad stuck at ports after new payment system glitches

Import consignments are stuck at ports and terminals across the country since April 1 due to glitches in the new payment system.

Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association, an industry body representing the western region has asked for government help. In their report, they highlighted the issue of non-payment of customs levies on the newly launched portal. In their letter to the directorate general of systems and data management, customs and central excise, they said that its getting difficult to make the payments as the challans are not visible on ICEGATE.

“All import consignments, including those of food and medicines which have a short shelf-life, are affected, with agents not being able to take delivery. This is creating hardship patients and chaos in general,” an industry executive said to TOI.

In a two series tweet, CBIC said “CBIC has noted difficulties being faced by members of the trade in making duty payments over the customs automated system. It maybe noted that an upgraded and modern system of payment is live since 1/4/ 2023. Our technical teams are working overtime to fix some teething issues and the problems being temporarily noticed will be resolved at the earliest.”.

In the new payment system, it enables users to create a virtual wallet account ICEGATE which acts as a mode of payment for custom duties online apart from internet banking and NEFT/RTGS.

This is not the first time that the ministry has faced such issues. In the past, GST Network was also full of errors and even the new income tax portals have faced several issues prompting the government to approach the Infosys management to fix them.