All Ports Allowed Transhipment of
both LCL and FCL Cargo to Control Hormuz Disruption
·
Permissions
to come from Customs at Originating Port by Email
·
Much
Postponed Manifest Regulations will be Finally Implemented from 15 April
·
Circular No. 15/2026-Customs dated 27 March 2026
has been issued to facilitate trade due to disruption in maritime routes
caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
·
CBIC has permitted international transhipment of
both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) cargo from
all seaports and international airports.
·
The facility will also apply to cases where
cargo needs to move through another customs station (port/airport) before
transhipment.
·
Each Customs Zone must appoint a Nodal Officer
(rank: Joint/Additional Commissioner) to process transhipment requests
quickly.
·
In case of transhipment through multiple customs
stations:
o
Consent must be taken by official email from the
transit/destination station.
o
Permission should be granted on priority after
verification.
o
Cargo movement must take place under proper customs
control.
·
The custodian of cargo (at origin, transit and
destination) will be responsible for safe storage, handling and accounting
of the cargo during transhipment.
·
Export cargo already lying at gateway ports due to
disruption:
o
LEO/Shipping Bill can be cancelled on exporters
request.
o
Cargo may be returned to exporter or re-routed.
o
No need to bring containers back to the originating
ICD.
·
Requests must be processed quickly using email
and electronic communication to reduce congestion and delays.
·
CBIC has also asked zones to expedite
implementation of SCMTR, 2018 to strengthen supply-chain resilience.
·
The facility and relaxations under this circular
will remain in force till 15 April 2026.
[CBIC Circular No. 15/2026-Customs dated 27
March, 2026]
Subject: International
Transhipment of FCULCL cargo from all Ports/Airports, in view of disruption in
maritime routes due to closure of the Strait of Hormuz Section 143AA of the
Customs Act, 1962.
I
am directed to refer to Circulars No. 09/2026-Customs dated 08.03.2026, No.
10/2026-Customs dated 10.03.2026 and No. 12/2026-Customs dated 17.03.2026
issued by the Board in the context of severe disruption in maritime routes due
to closure of the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in diversion/return of export
cargo from international waters Indian Waters. Reference is also invited to
Circular No. 14/2007-Customs dated 16.03.2007, which prescribes the procedure
for international transhipment of cargo. Representations have been received
from the trade and field formations seeking extension of the facility of
international transhipment to both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than full
Container Load (LCL) cargo from all Customs stations, along with a simplified
and uniform procedure for grant of approvals, including in cases involving
movement through other Customs stations.
2.
The matter has been examined by the Board. In view of the ongoing disruption in
maritime routes and with a view to facilitate trade and mitigate logistical
bottlenecks, it is clarified that International transhipment of both FCL and
LCL cargo shall be permitted from all seaports and international airports,
including cases involving transhipment through other Customs stations, subject
to compliance with the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, the rules made
thereunder.
3.
For the purpose of expeditious processing and supervision of requests for
international transhipment, each Customs Zone shall designate a Nodal Officer
not below the rank of Additional Commissioner or Joint Commissioner of Customs.
The details of such Nodal Officer (name, designation, email and contact number)
shall be notified through Public Notice immediately and publicised on the
Commissionerate website.
4.
The procedure prescribed in the Board Circulars No. 14/2007-Cus dated
16.03.2007 and No. 1212026-Customs dated 17.03.2026, for allowing International
Transhipment of FCULCL cargo from all Ports/Airports shall be duly followed . The Nodal Officer shall ensure that permissions
for international transhipment are granted by the jurisdictional
Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Customs, duly authorised by the jurisdictional
Commissioner, on priority basis, after due verification.
5.
Transhipment involving multiple Customs stations: In cases where the
international transhipment involves movement of cargo to another Customs
station (port/airport) for onward transhipment, the following procedure shall
be followed:
(i)
The
Nodal Officer at the originating Customs station shall obtain prior consent
through official email from the Nodal Officer of the concerned
transit/destination Customs station;
(ii)
The
Nodal Officer of the transit/destination station shall convey 'consent through
official email after verifying availability of sufficient, safe and secure
storage space, adequate infrastructure and logistics support, and readiness to
handle and supervise such transhipment cargo;
(iii)
Upon
receipt of such consent, the Nodal Officer of originating customs station shall
ensure that the permission for international transhipment permission may be
granted at the originating station on priority basis;
(iv) The movement of cargo to the
transit/destination Customs station shall take place under appropriate Customs
control (including sealing of containers, where required).
6.
The Custodian of the cargo at the originating, transit and destination Customs
stations shall be responsible for safe custody, secure storage, proper handling
and accounting of transhipment cargo during the entire period it remains under
their charge. The Custodian shall ensure compliance with all Customs
instructions, maintain proper records, facilitate Customs supervision, and
immediately report any discrepancy, damage or irregularity noticed in the
transhipment cargo.
7.
Further, it has been represented to the Board that certain cargo moving from
Bangladesh via Kolkata/Mumbai and presently lying at JNPT requires temporary
facilitation for onward movement through Mumbai Airport for international
transhipment. The said matter is under examination of the Board.
8.
Representations have also been received from the trade regarding export cargo,
originally cleared at ICDs, which is presently lying at gateway ports on
account of disruption in maritime routes. In this regard, it is clarified that,-
(i)
On
the request of exporter, cancellation of LEO/Shipping Bill shall be permitted
by the originating ICD. Based on such cancellation, Customs officer at the
gateway port may allow movement of such cargo out of the port for return to the
exporter or for re-routing, as appropriate, subject to compliance with the
provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. There is no need to bring back the
containers at originating ICD. Custodian at gateway port shall ensure proper
accounting of such cargo.
(ii)
Such
requests shall be processed expeditiously, in coordination with the concerned
ICD and gateway port, so as to mitigate congestion and facilitate trade. To
streamline procedures and minimize delays, all communications and submissions
may be carried out electronically through official email, with a copy marked to
the concerned exporter and physical documentation be avoided to the extent
possible.
9.
Further, attention is also invited to the provision of SCMTR, 2018, which
provide a comprehensive framework for electronic filing and processing of cargo
manifest and transhipment operations. Implementation of SCMTR, 2018, has
remained deferred mainly on account of development and testing of requisite
messages by stakeholders. All zones and DG Systems should expedite
operationalisation of SCMTR, 2018, which will greatly aid in such emergent
situations requiring supply chain resilience.
10.
The above facility along with relaxation timeline as indicated at para 3 of
Circular No. 12/2026-Customs dated 17.03.2026 shall remain in force till
15.04.2026.
11.
Difficulties, if any, in implementation of this Circular may be brought to the
notice of the Board immediately.
No.
450/23/2026-Cus-IV