24x7 customs clearance introduced to manage export congestion and ensure continuous clearance and testing turnaround.
Introduction of 24x7 Customs clearance for export cargo at ICD Tughlaqabad to address trade disruptions and surges linked to the coronavirus outbreak. Extension of Export Shed and processing cell hours, deployment of sufficient Customs officers beyond regular hours, and requirement for custodians and stakeholders to provide continuous logistical support, including machinery, cranes, service staff and labour. CRCL laboratories to operate 24x7. Instructions operate until end of May 2020 and are to be treated as a Standing Order.

Export data reporting requirements now require state and district of origin plus GSTIN and trade classification details.
Exporters must furnish in the electronic integrated declaration on ICEGATE, for every Shipping Bill item, the State and District of Origin, applicable Preferential Agreement details, and the Standard Unit Quantity Code; GSTIN declaration is mandatory for taxpayers registered under GST. DG (Systems) will issue a detailed advisory on the specific Shipping Bill fields for these entries.

PGA eSANCHIT LPCO upload mandatory; beneficiaries' self-upload disabled and PGAs must provide recent authorizations via email
PGAs must upload digitally signed Licenses/Permits/Certificates/Other Authorizations (LPCOs) to eSANCHIT; beneficiary self-uploading will be deactivated from the cut-off, so PGAs are to upload LPCOs issued during the 15 days before the cut-off and may upload older LPCOs. PGAs shall communicate via ICEGATE-registered email addresses, with simplified auto-registration using GST emails for limited eSANCHIT functions; formations must ensure correct beneficiary email records and report difficulties.

24x7 customs clearance expanded to manage import surges; extended hours, helpdesk support and late fee waiver consideration provided.
24x7 customs clearance measures extend working hours and deploy additional officers to clear imports outside regular hours; custodians and stakeholders are requested to support extended clearance. A Helpdesk with designated officers is available for examination and assessment issues. CRCL labs will operate continuously. Importers facing late filing of Bills of Entry due to missing documents may seek consideration for waiver of late fee from the Joint/Additional Commissioner. These measures remain in effect until end of May 2020.

Continuous customs operations at ICD Tughlakabad expanded to prevent congestion, with extended hours, helpdesk, and late fee flexibility.
Extension of customs operational hours at ICD Tughlakabad to address potential congestion or surge, with assessment groups to work beyond regular hours and stakeholders asked to extend clearance activities; a dedicated Helpdesk with contact points is established and importers/brokers facing late filing due to missing documents may seek waiver of late fee from the concerned Commissioner, CRCL testing to operate continuously, and the measures are effective until end of May 2020 as a standing order.

24x7 customs clearance expanded to address import export surges and supply chain disruption, with helpdesk and extended hours.
The Commissionerate affirms 24x7 customs clearance at the National Courier Terminal and Air Cargo Export Shed and mandates extended working hours and additional officer deployment in ACC Exports assessment to manage potential congestion or surge. Dedicated helpdesks with named contacts have been established for examination and assessment difficulties; custodians and stakeholders are requested to extend facilities and provide feedback. CRCL laboratories will operate 24x7 to expedite test results. These operational measures will remain in effect until end of May and constitute standing orders for staff.

Late fee waiver for delayed import filings due to non receipt of documents from China, with helpdesk support provided.
Late fee liability for Bills of Entry filed late due to non receipt of basic import documents from China is waived where the importer or Customs Broker submits a letter stating the delay was caused by non receipt of documents; this administrative relief is intended to facilitate clearance of consignments stranded at ports or CFSs and is to be treated as a standing order. A Help Desk at the Commissionerate headquarters, headed by the Deputy Commissioner (Technical) with published contact numbers, will assist stakeholders and receive reports of difficulties.

Late fee exemption for delayed Bills of Entry where importers certify delays due to non-receipt of documents from China.
Delay in filing Bills of Entry for import consignments from China due to non-receipt of basic import documents will not attract late fee charges where the importer or customs broker submits a letter stating that the delay was on account of non-receipt of documents from China; implementation is to be treated as a standing order and operational difficulties referred to the Additional Commissioner, Appraising General.

Self-certified PTA/FTA certificates allow clearance for AEO importers subject to original submission and verification within stipulated period.
Customs permits DPD and AEO importers to clear goods on a self-certified copy of PTA/FTA certificates provided the importer obtains a serial number from the concerned Group, which verifies seal and signature, and submits the original certificate within fifteen days of clearance; failure to do so will result in a demand notice and action under the Customs Act, 1962.

Late fee waiver for delayed Bills of Entry where delay results from non-receipt of documents from foreign supplier.
Waiver of late fee for Bills of Entry filed late for import consignments from China where the delay is due to non-receipt of documents from the Chinese supplier or related agents, conditioned on a letter from the importer/CHA stating that reason; a helpdesk under the Deputy Commissioner (Import) for Krishnapatnam and Kakinada Custom Houses has been set up with specified e mail contacts to assist affected importers/CHAs, and officers must treat the Public Notice directions as a standing order for implementation.

Late filing relief for import Bills of Entry from China granted where delay due to non receipt of documents.
Relief is provided for delayed filing of import Bills of Entry for consignments from China where delay is due to non receipt of basic import documents; a letter from the importer or customs broker stating that cause will prevent levy of late fee, and the public notice operates as a standing order with escalation to ADC/JC for difficulties.

Continuous cargo clearance facility enables after hours assessment and clearance upon stakeholder intimation to a dedicated helpline.
A 24X7 clearance mechanism at Air Cargo Complex, Sahar implements an after hours assessment and clearance process via a dedicated mobile number held by the Superintendent Batch (IFO - Customs) as single point contact, who records all intimations. Importers/CBs must provide Bill of Entry number, country of origin, product description and party details. Additional/Joint Commissioners will assign officers to ensure prompt handling and legal compliance. Partner agencies are being approached to support the facility, which will be reviewed in ten days and adjusted with trade and custodian input; difficulties may be raised with ADC/JC, Import Commissionerate, ACC, Mumbai.

Expert valuation of precious stones requires prior assessment approval, supervised examination, and recorded referral details for imported consignments.
Expert valuers empanelled by Customs are to be consulted where specialist opinion is required for valuation or examination of precious and semi-precious stones. Referral for consignment valuation requires prior approval from the designated Assessment Group or Dock officer, and examination may be conducted under officer supervision. The Appraising Group must maintain a register recording Bills of Entry, valuer details, observations and remarks for each referral.

Twenty-four-hour customs clearance expands assessment, examination, release and laboratory operations to reduce congestion and trade delays.
Customs clearance operates on a 24x7 basis through import facilitation centres, export parking plazas, extended Assessment Group working and continuous preventive staffing at port-terminal gates, container freight stations and the boarding office. Assessment, examination, Out of Charge and laboratory operations may be extended to address congestion, delays or operational surges, with implementation treated as a Standing Order for officers.

Late fee waiver for delayed import filings due to missing China documents, subject to approval and supporting letter.
Import and export consignments to and from China will receive expedited handling with Air Cargo Complex and CRCL functioning continuously; late-filed Bills of Entry for imports from China may be considered for waiver of late fee upon a letter from the importer or customs broker attributing delay to non receipt of requisite China documents, subject to Additional Commissioner approval, and a dedicated Help Desk is provided for stakeholder assistance and escalation.

Appointment of Customs Cargo Service Provider establishes custodial responsibility for courier consignments pending customs clearance.
The Commissioner of Customs appoints a private courier operator as Customs Cargo Service Provider and custodian for its own courier consignments at the designated terminal, with consignments to remain under custody until clearance for home consumption or export. Express Industry Council of India is appointed custodian for other courier consignments at the New Courier Terminal, with a short transitional arrangement to allow clearance of the new operator's in-transit consignments. Custodians must comply with statutory and regulatory obligations, standing instructions, and the conditions of undertakings executed before the Commissioner.

Round the clock customs clearance introduced to manage supply chain disruption and expedite import export processing.
Introduction of round the clock customs clearance at Ludhiana and specified ICDs/CFSs, coordinated via a Special Cell at the Commissioner of Customs and an additional cell at ICD Dappar; two shift staffing with night duties by Special Cell deputees and continuous CRCL laboratory services. Custodians must ensure 24x7 logistics support (machinery, cranes, labour, infrastructure). Trade participants should file shipping bills and bills of entry in advance to avoid EDI congestion. No merchant overtime fee shall be collected at designated 24x7 ports for Customs services.

Round-the-clock customs clearance enables priority assessment for shipments linked to China, with email requests and designated appraisers.
A round-the-clock customs clearance facility at New Customs House, Mumbai Zone I enables priority assessment and clearance of Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills related to imports from and exports to China. Importers, exporters or customs brokers may request priority assessment by email in a prescribed format; duty officers will list and transfer such cases online to designated appraisers. Designated DC/AC/Appraisers will assess only requests linked to China, applying Customs and allied law, and the facility covers Import I, Import II, Export and ICD Mulund commissionerates.

Customs Transit Declaration requirement governs transit through foreign territory, mandating CTD, bond, sealing and electronic filing transition.
The regulations supersede the 1965 rules and govern transit of goods through foreign territory under the agreed port and inland waterway arrangements; every transit shipment must be accompanied by a Customs Transit Declaration (CTD) and a customs bond, sealed with a customs one time lock at Indian exit, endorsed at each entry/exit point, and presented on re entry for verification and bond closure; manual CTD filing will operate initially with a transition to electronic EDI filing, and Cross Border Certificate requirement is waived for movements under these regulations.

Export data reporting: District and State origin required in shipping bills; GSTIN mandatory for registered taxpayers.
Electronic Shipping Bills must include, for each item, the State of Origin and District of Origin, applicable Preferential Agreement details, and the Standard Unit Quantity Code (SQC) for the relevant tariff heading; additionally, GST-registered importers and exporters must declare their GSTIN in import/export documents.