CBIC merges 31 customs duty notifications into one, easing compliance and boosting trade transparency.
In a major boost to India’s trade facilitation and ease of doing business, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced the consolidation of 31 separate customs duty notifications into a single, unified framework, effective November 1, 2025.
The move aims to streamline complex procedures, reduce paperwork, and make compliance easier for importers, exporters, and customs brokers. Until now, businesses had to navigate a web of overlapping notifications to determine applicable duty exemptions and concessional rates.
Simplifying Trade, Retaining Benefits
According to the CBIC, all existing benefits and exemptions will remain intact, ensuring that traders continue to enjoy the same advantages without facing new compliance hurdles. “The consolidation will boost transparency and reduce ambiguity, allowing trade participants to refer to one single notification instead of dozens,” the board stated.
To prevent confusion during the transition, CBIC has also issued a detailed FAQ document, clarifying the applicability of IGST, Basic Customs Duty (BCD), and the validity of exemptions under the new structure.
Minor Adjustments, Major Simplification
The unified notification comes with two minor changes:
- Air India Engineering Services (AIESL) will now enjoy exemptions covering three B-737 and two B-777 aircraft maintained and operated by the Indian Air Force.
- The 5% BCD exemption for bulk drugs used in manufacturing polio vaccines and mono-component insulins has been withdrawn.
Beyond these adjustments, the consolidation represents a significant regulatory overhaul aligned with the government’s mission to simplify indirect tax laws and strengthen India’s position as a global trade hub.
A Step Toward Seamless Trade
Officials emphasised that this initiative is part of the broader effort under the National Logistics Policy and Trade Facilitation Action Plan, designed to make India’s customs procedures faster, more predictable, and business-friendly.
By merging decades of fragmented notifications into a single framework, the CBIC has taken a decisive step toward clarity, efficiency, and transparency in international trade, helping businesses move goods across borders with greater confidence and speed.
Source: The New Indian Express
