Aircraft Operators to share international passenger data with National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger vide Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022

On 08-08-2022, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has published the Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022 which deals with collection of data of international passenger from aircraft operators for risk analysis for the purpose of prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of offences.

Key points:

1. National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger established by the Board to receive and process passenger name record information along with any other information relevant for risk analysis of passengers.
2. Every aircraft operator must register with the proper officer in the FORM as per Annexure-I to these regulations.
3. Every aircraft operator must transfer the passenger name record information, to these regulations, of passengers they have already collected such information in the normal course of business operations, to the designated Customs systems by push method using PNRGOV EDIFACT message format.
4. Every aircraft operator or its authorised agent who becomes aware, before or at the time of departure, that any information provided by them under these regulations is incomplete or inaccurate, must immediately provide such complete or accurate information.
5. Passenger name record information received by Customs designated system must be subject to the strict information privacy and protection in accordance with the provisions of any law for the time being in force.
6. Passenger name record information received in Customs designated system must be retained for a maximum period of five years from the date of such receipt: Provided that the provisions under this sub-regulation shall not be applicable, if such information is required in the course of an investigation, prosecution, or any court proceeding.
7. Principal Additional Director General or Additional Director General of the National Customs Targeting Centre-
   Passenger, may impose a penalty which shall not be less than twenty five thousand rupees but not more fifty thousand rupees, for each act of non-compliance, on an aircraft operator or his authorised agent who contravenes or fail to comply with any provisions of these regulations.