Insertion of new section 151B

Section 98 of the Finance Act, 2018 deals with insertion of new section 151B. Insertion of new section 151B 98. In the Customs Act, after section 151A, the following section shall be inserted, namely:— '151B.

Insertion of new section 151B

98. In the Customs Act, after section 151A, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—

'151B. Reciprocal arrangement for exchange of information facilitating trade.—(1) The Central Government may enter into an agreement or any other arrangement with the Government of any country outside India or with such competent authorities of that country, as it deems fit, for facilitation of trade, enforcing the provisions of this Act and exchange of information for trade facilitation, effective risk analysis, verification of compliance and prevention, combating and investigation of offences under the provisions of this Act or under the corresponding laws in force in that country.

(2) The Central Government may, by notification, direct that the provisions of this section shall apply to the contracting State with which reciprocal agreement or arrangements have been made, subject to such conditions, exceptions or qualifications as may be specified in that notification.

(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), the information received under sub-section (1) may also be used as evidence in investigations and proceedings under this Act.

(4) Where the Central Government has entered into a multilateral agreement for exchange of information or documents for the purpose of verification of compliance in identified cases, the Board shall specify the procedure for such exchange, the conditions subject to which such exchange shall be made and designation of the person through whom such information shall be exchanged.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken, in pursuance to any agreement entered into or any other arrangement made by the Central Government prior to the date on which the Finance Bill, 2018 receives the assent of the President, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the provisions of this section.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expressions,—

(i)		"contracting State" means any country outside India in respect of which agreement or arrangements have been made by the Central Government with the Government or authority of such country through an agreement or otherwise;
(ii)		"corresponding law" means any law in force in the contracting State corresponding to any of the provisions of this Act or dealing with offences in that country corresponding to any of the offences under this Act.'.

Section 98, The Finance Act, 2018 (Act 13 of 2018).