EoI deadline for Customs Integrated System extended to Jan 31

According to the revised notice, the timelines for both purchase of the EoI document and bid submission have been revised from the earlier January 21 deadline

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has extended to January 31 the deadline for submitting expressions of interest (EoIs) to appoint an implementation agency for the proposed Customs Integrated System (CIS), according to a revised notification.

 

“All prospective bidders sought an extension of the deadlines for submission of EoI responses. So, the timelines were revised accordingly," a government official said.

 

According to the revised notice, the timelines for both the purchase of EoI document and bid submission have been revised from the earlier January 21 deadline. Bids will now be opened on February 2, 2026.

 

The CIS seeks to create a unified national platform by integrating key existing systems — Indian Customs Electronic Gateway, Risk Management System, and Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System — which run on different software platforms and do not smoothly communicate with each other.

 

The selection process will follow a two-stage process, with the EoI phase aimed at shortlisting up to eight bidders based on technical capability and experience. Both single bidders and consortiums of up to three members are eligible to apply. Shortlisted bidders will then be invited to participate in a subsequent request for proposal process, under which detailed technical and financial bids will be evaluated before the final contract is awarded.

 

The existing customs system has led to delays, duplication of process and manual interventions in import and export clearances, which the proposed CIS seeks to address.

 

The system is planned to be implemented from April 1, 2027 and is expected to enable faster cargo clearances, strengthen risk-based targeting, and fully digitise assessment, refunds and dispute resolution processes.