The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has allowed international transhipment of both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo from all seaports and international airports in the country, in response to disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The move aims to ease logistical bottlenecks arising from diverted and stranded cargo and facilitate smoother trade flows. The Board clarified that transhipment will also be permitted in cases involving movement through multiple Customs stations, subject to compliance with existing regulations.
To streamline the process, CBIC has directed all Customs Zones to appoint nodal officers at the level of Additional or Joint Commissioner to handle and expedite transhipment requests. Permissions will be granted on a priority basis, with enhanced coordination between originating and destination Customs stations through electronic communication.
The circular also provides relief to exporters whose cargo has been held up at gateway ports due to the ongoing crisis. Exporters can seek cancellation of Let Export Orders (LEO) and shipping bills, allowing cargo to be redirected or returned without sending containers back to the originating Inland Container Depot.
Additionally, the Board has emphasised the need to fast-track implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018, to strengthen digital processing and improve supply chain resilience.
The decision is expected to reduce port congestion, improve cargo movement flexibility, and support exporters impacted by the ongoing disruption in global shipping routes.
