The Indian Ministry of Finance has recently unveiled ICEDASH and ATITHI, two major Information Technology (IT) projects designed to streamline customs clearance and facilitate international arrivals. Developed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), these new systems reflect a commitment to improving the ease of doing business in India and promoting tourism and business travel.
ICEDASH: Aiming for Efficient Customs Clearance
ICEDASH is an innovative IT solution developed hand in hand with the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The system provides a user-friendly platform that allows the public to view the daily customs clearance times for imports at various airports and ports across the country.
This intuitive dashboard enables businesses to compare clearance times between ports, helping them plan their logistics more efficiently. In addition to streamlining operations, this system also promotes transparency in the customs clearance process.
ATITHI: Facilitating International Arrivals
ATITHI is a mobile application designed to streamline the customs declaration process for international travelers coming to India. The app allows passengers to declare dutiable items and currency even before boarding their flights to India.
By making this process simpler and more convenient, ATITHI aims to promote tourism and business travel to the country, a key objective for the Ministry of Finance. The app offers a user-friendly interface and easy-to-follow instructions, making the customs declaration process less daunting for first-time and frequent travelers alike.
Table of Facts
| Initiative | Purpose | Developer |
|---|---|---|
| ICEDASH | Monitoring customs clearance times of imported goods | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and National Informatics Centre (NIC) |
| ATITHI | Aiding arriving international passengers in customs declaration | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) |
About the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
The CBIC is a department under the Ministry of Finance that handles policies concerning the levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods & Services Tax, Integrated GST (IGST) and prevention of smuggling. The board is committed to making sure these processes are transparent, efficient, and beneficial for businesses and individuals alike.
About the National Informatics Centre
Established in 1976 and based in New Delhi, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) is a part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The NIC provides network backbone and e-Governance support to various government bodies at central, state, and UT levels. With their support, ICEDASH was created as a step towards a more digitized and transparent system.
