Central Government has issued notification no. 26/2009 Cus(NT) dated 17-3-2009 to make Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations, 2009. Explanatory memorandum to these regulation specified the scope and purpose of these regulations as:

Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations, 2009 provide for a comprehensive mechanism for handling of goods in a customs area and set out the terms and conditions for all facilities where customs cargo is handled. It also provides for the conditions and responsibilities of the persons handling import or export cargo in Inland Container Depot (ICD) or Container Freight Station (CFS) or seaport or airport or Land Customs Stations (LCS) and provide adequate control over the cargo handling entities to ensure that the adequate infrastructure is set up at such facilities for efficient handling of import or export goods. This also fulfills the recommendation made by the Public Accounts Committee (2005-2006) for the Government to formulate appropriate provisions in this regard.

Handling of cargo regulations impose standards and responsibilities for entities managing import and export operations in customs areas. Regulations establish a comprehensive framework prescribing terms and conditions for facilities handling customs cargo and set the conditions and responsibilities of persons and entities managing import and export cargo at Inland Container Depots, Container Freight Stations, seaports, airports and Land Customs Stations, requiring adequate infrastructure and administrative controls to ensure efficient and controlled handling of consignments within customs areas.