Customs

Vizhinjam International Seaport has secured Customs approval to commence EXIM operations, its operator, VISL, said on Saturday. Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd said the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has granted final approval for the port to officially commence EXIM cargo operations from August 18. "While Vizhinjam International Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram, has so far functioned exclusively as an international transshipment hub, export-import cargo operations shall commence with effect from August 18, 2026. "Customs regulation of EXIM cargo will be carried out in coordination with various government and facilitating agencies, such as VISL, AVPPL, the Mercantile Marine Department, the Port Health Organisation, the Bureau of Immigration, the Coastal Police, authorised banks and port security agencies," the CBIC order dated July 24 said. As there is currently no designated Container Freight Station attached to the port, the CBIC has imposed several conditions governi

While the decision on duty exemption must be welcomed, the end date underlines India's inherent reluctance in liberalising imports

Duty exemptions on display assembly and wireless charging components, along with expanded relief for lithium-ion cell machinery, aim to boost domestic manufacturing and value addition

India is preparing to build a new digital backbone for cross-border trade through the Customs Integrated System (CIS). Five technology firms

Trump's order targets customs loopholes by cracking down on shell companies, inadequate customs bonds, and shipment-routing schemes used to conceal the true origin of imported goods

The exemption on a wide range of critical petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, is a temporary and targeted relief to shield domestic manufacturers from disruptions caused by the Iran war

Customs authority has slapped a demand notice of Rs 23.52 crore, including duty and penalty, on air-condition maker Voltas over alleged mis-classification of certain imported goods, a regulatory filing said on Monday. The company is analysing the order and will take appropriate course of action including filing of an appeal before the CESTAT in the matter, said the Tata Group firm. As per the order, there was "mis-classification of certain imported goods pertaining to the period from 14th June, 2019 to 21st July, 2022". It is "demanding payment of differential customs duty of Rs 10.76 crore along with applicable interest, and a penalty of Rs 12.76 crore under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962," According to Voltas, there is no material impact on the financials, operations or other activities of the company due to this penalty.

A Bombay HC ruling quashing a customs order after seized goods deteriorated in custody may help importers avoid demurrage and related charges, highlighting systemic issues in customs procedures

The Customs department has come out with norms for dealing with export cargo returning to Indian ports due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions in maritime routes amid the West Asia crisis. The norms, issued by the CBIC on March 8 and to be valid for 15 days, stipulate that in all such cases the vessel shall be permitted to berth only at the same Indian port from which it departed, except in the case of transhipment. The field offices under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will recover all export incentives, including IGST, drawback, etc., manually from such cargo, if they have already been disbursed, said the CBIC circular. The CBIC said it has received representations from field formations indicating that, due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the consequent disruption in maritime routes, certain vessels carrying export cargo from India are unable to reach their destination ports and are returning to Indian ports. It has been ...

CBIC has issued temporary relaxations for handling export cargo returning to Indian ports due to the Strait of Hormuz disruption, outlining simplified processes to speed up clearances

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is set to introduce the proposed Eligible Manufacturer-Importer scheme by March 1, with a draft framework to be released in five to six days for stakeholder consultation, a top official said on Thursday. Addressing a media interaction in Mumbai, CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said the scheme will initially be introduced for two years, offering eligible manufacturer-importers a "preview" of the benefits under the new framework. Manufacturers, who are not currently Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), will receive benefits under this scheme for a period of two years, during which they must comply with the prescribed norms to obtain AEO certification, officials clarified. The government is currently working on finalising the eligibility criteria through an internal committee, and detailed contours of the scheme will be shared soon for public feedback. Chaturvedi indicated that the EMI scheme is aligned with the broader push towar

India is pushing virtual trade corridors and paperless logistics with key partners as digital trade becomes central to FTA talks with the EU and the US

New baggage rules raise duty-free allowance to Rs 75,000 for most travellers, simplify transfer-of-residence norms and introduce digital declarations

Customs notifications override FTP provisions on duty exemptions, while advance authorisation imports can bypass MIP for deemed exports if inputs aren't sold in the DTA

FM said the govt will revise baggage clearance rules and enhance duty-free allowances to reflect modern travel patterns and address passenger concerns over valuation and temporary carriage of goods

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said customs duty exemptions in Union Budget 2026 aim to simplify tax rates, support domestic manufacturing, boost exports and remove redundant exemptions

Experts welcomed the recommendation, saying it could lower transaction costs and litigation, making India more competitive against peer economies

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

Reduction in customs duty on imported cars under the India-EU free trade agreement could enable the growth of the luxury car segment in India, which currently remains minuscule, BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar said on Monday. The domestic luxury car segment accounts for just 1 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle segment. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement would be a historic milestone benefiting both sides by expanding trade and enabling deeper exchange of technology and innovation, Brar said in a statement. "From an automotive industry perspective, we hope the FTA will include balanced, win-win provisions that help stimulate demand in the luxury segment while strengthening supply chain integration which is especially important in the current geopolitical context," he added. If customs duties on completely built units are reduced, it would help expand the luxury car market in India, Brar stated. "While CBUs (completely built units) currently account for a

On Republic Day and International Customs Day, a reminder that vigilance in enforcement must remain anchored in constitutional limits, due process and the rule of law