The Conference was organised by Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)

During the inaugural session, a documentary on “Science at the Border: The Story of Indian Customs Laboratories”; a CRCL Coffee Table Book; the CRCL Brochure; and screening of Standard Operating Procedure video on sampling of petroleum liquids was released

Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated the Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 on the theme ‘’Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade”, at the C. Subramaniam Auditoriam, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), Pusa Campus, New Delhi, today.

The conference, the first of its kind, is organised by Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The inauguration was done in the presence of Shri Vivek Ranjan, Member (Tax policy & Legal), CBIC, and Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), CBIC.

Inaugurating the conference, Chief Guest Shri Pankaj Chaudhary emphasised on the commitment of the Government of India to build a modern and efficient testing framework that supports economic growth, compliance, and ease of doing business.

In his address, Shri Vivek Ranjan highlighted the important role played by CRCL in the process of revenue collection.

Shri Surjit Bhujabal summarised the key trade facilitation initiatives taken by CRCL and the proposed future measures to strengthen the sampling and testing eco-system.

The inaugural session included the release of the documentary “Science at the Border: The Story of Indian Customs Laboratories”, showcasing the historical evolution and pivotal contributions of CRCL and its regional laboratories; the launch of the CRCL Coffee Table Book, a testament to the institution’s legacy and achievements; the unveiling of the CRCL Brochure, outlining CRCL infrastructure and expanded testing capabilities; and a screening of the Standard Operating Procedure video on the sampling of petroleum liquids, emphasizing best practices of drawing representative samples for accuracy in laboratory analysis.

More than 400 delegates and participants attended the conference that brought together senior dignitaries from the Department of Revenue, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and its allied field formations, Officials of Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), various trade bodies & their representatives, delegates of reputed Institutions.

The conference included insightful presentation by Mr V. Suresh, Director (Revenue Laboratories) on the overview of CRCL Laboratories and the initiatives taken for facilitating trade followed by presentations by PGAs — FSSAI, CDSCO, the Textile Committee, Animal and Plant Quarantine authorities — highlighting compliance requirements and initiatives in trade facilitation and quality assurance.

The interactive sessions held during the conference provided opportunity to discuss various regulatory and procedural requirements with trade, industry participants, CRCL officers, regulatory bodies, and field formations. This technical discussion allowed all the stake holders to understand and address issues to a large extent, seek clarifications and propose improvements fostering a climate of trust, responsiveness, and collaboration.

Key outcomes of the conference were commitment to reduced testing time, modernisation and upgradation of testing infrastructure, integrated laboratory facility training and capacity building, expansion and modernization of laboratory network, research and development (R&D) initiatives, focus on human resource strengthening, formation of a core stakeholders’ group.

Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL)

Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) began its journey in the year 1912, with the establishment of the Imperial Customs Laboratory in Calcutta, building upon an even earlier Excise Laboratory in Kasauli. In 1939, CRCL was formally established in New Delhi under the visionary leadership of Dr. H. B. Dunnicliff. Since then, it has emerged as a scientific pillar of India's revenue and customs ecosystem — ensuring accuracy in classification, integrity in trade, and trust in enforcement.

Trade facilitation: modernised testing, standardised sampling and reduced testing time to bolster compliance and expedite trade. The conference announced strengthening the customs testing and compliance regime by modernising laboratory infrastructure, reducing testing time, expanding the laboratory network, instituting integrated laboratory facilities, enhancing training and capacity building, and standardising sampling procedures - exemplified by the release of a Standard Operating Procedure video on sampling of petroleum liquids; commitments also include R&D initiatives and formation of a core stakeholders' group to harmonise regulatory requirements and improve trade facilitation.