Vizhinjam International Seaport has received final approval from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to commence export-import (EXIM) cargo operations from August 18, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the port’s evolution from a transshipment hub to a full-fledged gateway port.
According to the CBIC order dated July 24, Customs has authorised Vizhinjam International Seaport to handle EXIM cargo under specified operational conditions. Until now, the port has functioned exclusively as an international transshipment hub.
Initially, import operations will be limited to Full Container Load (FCL) cargo eligible for Direct Port Delivery (DPD), with containers required to be transported directly to the importer’s premises within 48 hours of landing. The handling of Less-than-Container Load (LCL) cargo, loose cargo, and containers requiring destuffing or examination has been prohibited until a dedicated Container Freight Station (CFS) becomes operational.
On the export side, only factory-stuffed, self-sealed or Customs-sealed FCL containers under the Direct Port Entry (DPE) system will be permitted. Cargo requiring loose stuffing, examination or carting inside the port premises will not be allowed at this stage.
The CBIC also approved road transshipment of containers between Vizhinjam and other notified Customs locations, including Inland Container Depots (ICDs), Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Land Customs Stations, strengthening multimodal cargo connectivity.
Customs operations at the port will be coordinated with agencies including Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd. (AVPPL), the Mercantile Marine Department, Port Health Organisation, Bureau of Immigration, Coastal Police, authorised banks and port security agencies. All cargo handling will be governed by the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018.
Developed under a public-private partnership between the Government of Kerala and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Vizhinjam International Seaport has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing container ports. The port crossed the 2 million TEU milestone within 18 months of commencing commercial operations and has already handled some of the world’s largest container vessels.
The commencement of EXIM operations is expected to significantly enhance Kerala’s trade infrastructure and supports the state government’s Mission Samudra initiative, which aims to establish Kerala as a leading maritime and logistics hub through integrated port-led development, manufacturing, inland waterways and multimodal connectivity.