History
The collection of customs duty near Chennai (previously Madras) location dates back to 600 AD, when the seaport of Mamallapuram flourished under the rule of the Pallava King, Mahendra Varma. East India Company, under Royal Charter from the British Crown, has secured a narrow strip of land one mile wide and six miles long to the north of old Portuguese settlement, St. Toma (present day Mylapore) and adjoining the River Cooum from the Rajah of Chandragheri through an agreement dated March 1st, 1639 and started construction of Fort St. George. It was in Fort St. George that the British first collected Sea Customs duties. Robert Clive, who was the Governor of Madras Presidency during 1757-1760 ordered the transfer of the Custom House from Fort St. George to its present site at No.33, Rajaji Salai, Chennai-600 001. Though the collection of sea customs was happening from the date of erection of Fort St. George, The first person to hold the post of “Collector of Customs” was Mr. Walter Balfour who took Office in the year 1801. Thus the history of the Chennai Customs, reckoning from the history, is more than 3 centuries old.
Vision:-
Partnering in India’s socio-economic growth by formulating and implementing progressive indirect tax policies adopting stakeholder-centric approach and protecting the frontiers.
Mission:-
A robust indirect tax and border control administration, with a view towards delivery of services, which is –
- Simple and predictable
- Fair and just
- Transparent
- Technology-driven
and which –
- Encourages trust – based voluntary compliance
- Protects honest taxpayers’ rights
- Facilitates trade with risk-based enforcement
- Enables legitimate movement of people, goods and services.
- Supplement the efforts to ensure national security, and;
- Continually invests in capacity building to achieve professional and ethical excellence.
OUR COMMITMENT:-
We shall strive to:
- To encourage voluntary compliance
- To educate citizens about indirect tax laws
- To continuously enhance service delivery standards
- To promote a consultative and collaborative environment
- To provide information and other assistance at the GST Seva Kendras/Facilitation Counters as also on the website www.cbic.gov.in
- To effectively combat corruption as part of the comprehensive national mission for promotion of integrity.