·
Policy
extension: The
government has extended the validity of customs relief circulars issued under
the Customs Act, 1962.
·
Reason: Ongoing disruption in maritime trade due
to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
·
Extended
timeline: The
relief measures will now remain in force till
15 May 2026.
·
Covered
circulars:
Includes Circular Nos. 09,
10, 12, 15, 19, and 21 of 2026 issued between March and April.
·
Continuity
of provisions:
o No changes in existing terms, conditions, or facilities
o Only the validity period extended
·
Objective: To ease
trade and logistics challenges faced by importers/exporters due
to shipping disruptions.
·
Administrative
note:
Stakeholders facing difficulties can report issues to authorities for further
action.
·
Key
takeaway: India
is maintaining temporary
trade facilitation measures to cushion the impact of global
supply disruptions linked to the Gulf crisis.
|
Previous Circulars Validity
Extended to 15 May (Assuming Iran War will End in a Fortnight!) |
|
|
Headline |
Circular No/Date |
|
CBIC Issues Temporary Procedure for Return of
Export Cargo Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure ·
Reason
for Circular: Due
to the closure of the
Strait of Hormuz and disruption of maritime routes, some
vessels carrying Indian export cargo are returning to Indian ports. |
|
|
CBIC Waives Fee on Export Document Amendments Following
Hormuz Strait
Shipping Disruption |
|
|
Returned Cargo Clearance Procedure from Iran
War Disruption Notified Ø The
relaxation provided under Circular No 09/2026-Customs dated 08th March, 2026
and Circular 10/2026-Customs dated l0th March, 2026 shall remain in force
till 31st March, 2026 |
|
|
All Ports Allowed Transhipment of both LCL and FCL Cargo to Control
Hormuz Disruption |
|
|
SEZ can Call Back Stranded Cargo at Ports Following Shipping Disruption |
|
|
CBIC Eases Procedures for Returned Export
Cargo Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Subject: Procedure to handle export cargo containers
off loaded at foreign ports and subsequently returned to India, in view of
disruption in maritime routes due to closure of the Strait of Hormuz- Section
143AA of the Customs Act, 1962. |
|
[CBIC Circular No. 22/2026-Customs dated 4 May, 2026]
Subject: Extension of validity of the circulars
issued under Section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962, to mitigate challenges arising
from ongoing disruptions in maritime routes due to the closure of the Strait of
Hormuz.
Kind reference is invited to various circulars
issued by the Board under Section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962, in view of the
ongoing disruptions in maritime routes due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
2. In this regard, it is hereby informed that, upon due consideration
of the prevailing circumstances, the Board has decided to extend the validity of
the aforesaid circulars. Accordingly, the facilities which are extended vide Circular
No. 09/2026-Customs dated 08.03.2026, Circular no. 10/2026-Customs dated 10.03.2026,
Circular no. 12/2026-Customs dated 17.03.2026, Circular no. 15/2026-Customs dated
27.03.2026, Circular no. 19/2026-Customs dated 10th April, 2026 and Circular no.
21/2026-Customs dated 15th April, 2026 shall continue to remain in force up to the
15th May, 2026. All other facilities,
terms and conditions as stipulated in the said Circulars shall remain unchanged.
3. Difficulties, if any, in implementation of this Circular may be brought
to the notice of the Board for further necessary action.
No. 450/23/2026-Cus-IV