The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has advised exporters to obtain visa for 2004 textile shipments by January 30, sources at EPB said on Saturday. The textile exporters have been requested to obtain visa from the EPB for quota shipments made till December 31 because the EPB intend to wind up Elvis system installed to exchange shipments data with the US Customs.
Sources said that since the Elvis system was quite costly the Bureau was not interested in continuing the same as it has served its purpose with the end of quota system from January 1, 2005.
According to cautious estimates about 100 to 200 visa remained to be issued for shipments made till December 31.
As far as a large number of quota shipments being air lifted by the Bureau no visa is required because these shipments fall in the post quota period.
Elvis system was launched a few years ago to ensure accuracy of shipments made to the USA through data exchanged with the US Customs. The system helped a lot in preventing over shipments in different categories due to the accuracy about the fill rate provided by the US Customs.