Commercial intelligence investigations must balance enforcement with ease of doing business, using proportionate, documented information requests. Guidelines require the Commissioner to approve and oversee commercial intelligence investigations, necessitate comprehensive pre-initiation analysis of intelligence and records, and mandate that information requests be proportionate, reasoned, and uploaded to the e-file. Summons must follow CBIC instructions and prior approval of content; documents sought must be limited to the inquiry's scope and not be fishing expeditions. Practices should minimize disruption to importers/exporters, allow attendance by authorised agents, avoid routine seeking of publicly available digital records, enable timely closure following payment, and permit Commissioner engagement to address grievances.