Brand Rate of Drawback applications must be processed by BRFC and approved by the Commissioner as the final determination.
All Brand Rate of Drawback applications must be processed by the Brand Rate Fixation Cell (BRFC), which shall scrutinize documents, obtain verification reports as required, apply prescribed risk parameters, prepare a checklist and a self-contained recommendation, return deficient claims for supplementation, and route verified proposals through proper channels. Final fixation/determination of Brand Rates must be submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of Customs under Rules 6 and 7 of the Drawback Rules, 2017, and that approval constitutes the final determination. A checklist sets conditions including port eligibility, timeliness, value relationships, export verification, certification requirements, shipping bill identifiers, and calculation worksheet verification.

Port clearance for vessels at Chennai and Kamarajar moves online; bonds, mandatory documents and seven day post sailing submissions required.
Advance and EDI Port Clearance for vessels calling Chennai and Kamarajar ports will be issued via an online portal; ASCs/ASAs must register, submit a one year continuity bond and undertaking, provide mandatory initial certificates to obtain advance clearance, and furnish remaining listed documents within seven days of sailing. The online workflow uses a three level officer verification system, issues deficiency memos for incomplete submissions, permits online amendment/extension/closure, and includes QR coded certificates; manual issuance continues until 02.03.2026 and the Notice is effective from 27.01.2026.

Annual inspection of Kolkata and Haldia terminals will assess infrastructure, security, hazardous goods handling and bonds.
Annual inspections of all privately operated terminals/berths at Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex will commence in FY 2027 28 (April-May). CFS Unit officers will inspect using Annexure I proforma covering staffing, bonds/insurance, infrastructure, security, hazardous goods handling, IT, cargo disposal and prior compliance; reports go to the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs (Port) and deficiencies may invite remedial or penal action under the Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulation, 2009 (as amended) and the Customs Act, 1962.

Customs Cargo Service Provider approval extends to shifted CFS with custodian duties, AEO-linked conditions, and bank guarantee waiver.
Approval is granted for shifting the Container Freight Station of M/s Hind Terminals Private Limited to a new location at Kalambusare Chirner Road, Chirner Village, Taluka Uran, District Raigad, and the premises are notified as a Customs Area. The entity is appointed as custodian of imported goods and export cargo at the new facility and is approved as a Customs Cargo Service Provider subject to compliance with the Customs Act, 1962 and the Handling of Cargo in Customs Areas Regulations, 2009. The approval is linked to AEO validity, bank guarantee conditions, review powers, and takes effect from 01.02.2026.

Customs area notification governs shifting of a container freight station and defines the new approved cargo handling premises.
Customs authorities notify the shifting of a Container Freight Station operated by M/s Hind Terminals Private Limited to a new site at Kalambusare Chirner Road, Chirner Village, Tal. Uran, District Raigad, Maharashtra. The new facility is approved as a proper place for unloading imported goods and loading export goods under the Customs Act, 1962. The limits of the customs area are separately defined by reference to surrounding roads and adjoining survey numbers, and the notice takes effect from 01.02.2026.

Illegal gratification demands in customs clearance must be refused, with statutory payments made online and complaints promptly reported.
Illegal gratification sought in the name of Customs Officers for facilitating goods clearance is prohibited. Trade participants must not pay Customs Brokers or intermediaries amounts attributed to officer demands or customs handling charges, as such payments may perpetuate corruption and entail penal consequences. Only applicable statutory duties, cess, fine, penalty and interest are collectible online through the Icegate portal. Demands, harassment or undue delay in clearance or official functions may be promptly reported with available evidence, and complaints are to be handled confidentially and examined or referred for action.

Wings India 2026: customs clearance permission at Begumpet Airport extended to 20 Jan-5 Feb, subject to required clearances.
Special permission for customs clearance support at Begumpet Airport for Wings India 2026 is modified to 20 January-5 February 2026 (instead of 23 January-30 January 2026) for a non-notified Customs Airport, and is conditional on observance of relevant rules, procedures and prior requisite clearances from concerned government departments and agencies.

Right to Information designation of the Central Public Information Officer for Chennai Air Cargo Commissionerate is notified under the Act.
Designation of the Central Public Information Officer for the Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Air Cargo Commissionerate, is made under the Right to Information Act, 2005. M C Suresh, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs, New Custom House, Meenambakkam, Chennai 600016, is identified as the Central Public Information Officer for Chennai Air Cargo Commissionerate. Y Srinivasa Rao, Additional Commissioner of Customs, Appraising Main - Chennai-VII, is also mentioned in the notice.

Cross recessed screws: consignments with inward entry 1 Nov 2025-12 Jan 2026 exempt from QCO; SMEs have staggered start dates.
A one-time exemption from the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 applies to consignments with inward entry dates between 1 November 2025 and 12 January 2026; implementation of the Order otherwise proceeds with staggered dates for small and micro enterprises, and oversight for affected iron and steel HSN chapters has been transferred to the technical ministry. Customs officers are to be informed and issues reported to the Board.

Designation of Appellate Authority and CPIO for Air Port and Air Cargo Commissionerate, Bengaluru, with contact and jurisdiction details.
Designation of Appellate Authority and Central Public Information Officer under the Right to Information Act is announced for the Air Port and Air Cargo Commissionerate, Bengaluru, nominating Shri E. T. Sunil as CPIO and Dr. Gunjal Sandeep Suryabhan as Appellate Authority, with office addresses, telephone contacts, and jurisdiction covering all sections of the commissionerate.

Sea cargo manifest implementation requires accurate electronic declarations while API onboarding and inland transhipment messaging continue during transition.
Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations implementation includes nationwide import-export manifest messaging and live stuffing messages. SEZ units are to be onboarded through API integration, and remaining inland transhipment messages are to be developed, tested and operationalised within the extended implementation period. Transitional provisions have been extended until 31 March 2026, during which stakeholders must submit accurate electronic declarations in the prescribed format.

Postal exports can now claim drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL electronically via integrated DNK and ICEGATE systems.
Postal exports may now access electronic export benefits after integration of the DNK portal with ICES/ICEGATE. Exporters claiming drawback, RoDTEP or RoSCTL electronically must register on ICEGATE, add bank details linked to the DNK site, and file amended PBE III/PBE IV forms with required supporting documents uploaded to E Sanchit/ICEGATE; electronic drawback claims must follow Rules 13 and 14 of the Drawback Rules, 2017, while Rule 12 procedures remain for non electronic claims.

Public Grievance Officer appointed for Taxpayer Service Centre/GST Seva Kendra with contact details; trade to be informed.
Shri Raja Tomy, Assistant Commissioner, is appointed as the Public Grievance Officer for the Taxpayer Service Centre/GST Seva Kendra/SEVOTTAM at the Kochi Commissionerate, with provided email and telephone contact details to receive and manage public and trade grievances; the notice instructs circulation of this information to all members of trade and industry.

Customs anti-corruption compliance prohibits unofficial clearance payments and directs stakeholders to report illegal gratification demands confidentially.
Customs anti-corruption compliance requires stakeholders not to make payments beyond legitimate service charges to secure clearance or satisfy alleged demands of Customs Officers. Customs collections are limited to statutory duties, cess, fines, penalties and interest payable under law, through ICEGATE or the TR-6 challan mechanism at designated banks. Demands for illegal gratification, harassment or undue delay may be reported with supporting evidence through the notified complaint channels, with confidential handling and examination or referral for appropriate action.

Sea cargo manifest implementation extended; stakeholders must file correct electronic declarations and report issues by 31 March 2026.
Implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR) continues: import/export manifests are implemented and stuffing messages went live from 25 September 2025. Transitional provisions are extended to 31 March 2026; stakeholders must file correct electronic declarations in the prescribed format and report difficulties to the SCMTR Cell. DG Systems will onboard SEZ units via API by 31 March 2026 and will develop, test and operationalize remaining inland transshipment messages within an extended timeframe.

Sea Cargo Manifest compliance advances with electronic declarations, phased module onboarding, and extended transitional provisions for stakeholders.
Implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018 is being progressed through phased electronic onboarding of manifest and stuffing message modules, with import-export manifest messages already operational pan-India. The Directorate General of Systems is tasked with onboarding SEZ units through API integration and developing, testing and operationalising the remaining inland transshipment messages within the extended timeline. The transitional provisions have been extended up to 31 March 2026, during which stakeholders must submit prescribed declarations electronically in the specified format.

Customs clearance integrity requires rejecting illegal payment demands, using statutory online payments, and reporting bribery, harassment or undue delay.
Importers, exporters and trade stakeholders are cautioned against making illegal payments to customs brokers, intermediaries or others who cite purported demands by customs officers or customs handling charges. Illegal gratification by officers is prohibited, while making such payments may expose payers to penal consequences. The department collects only lawfully applicable statutory duties, cess, fines, penalties and interest through online payment modes on the ICEGATE portal. Demands, harassment or undue delay may be reported with supporting evidence through the designated complaint mechanism, with confidentiality assured.

Nomination of Appellate Authority: Shri Gopi Donthireddy appointed Additional Commissioner as RTI appellate authority for Chennai III.
An Appellate Authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 is nominated for the Chennai III Preventive Commissionerate: the Additional Commissioner of Customs is appointed as Appellate Authority with immediate effect, pursuant to the administrative order. The public notice supplies the office address, room number, telephone and email for the appointed authority and records that the nomination is issued with the Principal Commissioner's approval.

Single Unified Multi Purpose Electronic Bond replaces manual customs bond filing from 10 Feb 2026 with electronic execution and e BG linking.
The Single Unified Multi Purpose Electronic Bond (SEB) replaces separate manual bonds and bank guarantees by allowing importers/exporters to select obligations in a common electronic bond, add obligations or amounts later, pay stamp duty electronically, and execute the bond via NeSL integration and electronic signature without notary. SEB enables online end to end linking and verification of electronic Bank Guarantees. Nagpur Customs will discontinue manual bond/BG acceptance after 09.02.2026 and accept SEB electronically from 10.02.2026, with a nominated Nodal Officer and TSK Cell for technical grievance coordination and contingency procedures for unresolved issues.

De-notification of Haldia CFS removes its custodianship and customs-area status effective 07-01-2026.
De-notification of the Haldia CFS operated by M/s CC Logix Parks India Private Limited removes the facility's status as a Customs Area and de-appoints the entity as Custodian and Customs Cargo Service Provider effective 07-01-2026, revoking prior public notices that declared the area and appointed custodianship; the Principal Commissioner acted under customs statute and cargo-handling regulations and reserved the right to apply existing rules and orders if future disputes arise.