The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) on March 27, 2026, issued circular regarding the 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.
Due to disruption in maritime routes caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Board has introduced measures to facilitate international transhipment of cargo and ease logistics bottlenecks.
• Transhipment allowed for both FCL and LCL cargo from all seaports and international airports, including movement through multiple Customs stations, subject to compliance with the Customs Act, 1962.
• Each Customs Zone will appoint a Nodal Officer (not below Joint/Additional Commissioner) for faster approvals and coordination.
• Existing procedures (as per earlier circulars) continue, with priority approval for transhipment requests after verification.
For multi-station transhipment:
• Prior email consent is required between originating and destination/transit Customs stations.
• Cargo movement must be under Customs control (e.g., sealing, supervision).
Responsibilities & Compliance:
• Custodians at all stages are responsible for safe storage, handling, and record-keeping of cargo.
• Any discrepancies or damage must be immediately reported.
Relief for Exporters:
• Exporters can request cancellation of LEO/Shipping Bill for stranded cargo.
• Cargo can be returned or re-routed directly from gateway ports without sending it back to ICDs.
• Processes should be handled quickly and electronically to reduce delays and congestion.
Additional points:
• Temporary facilitation requests (e.g., Bangladesh cargo via JNPT) are under examination.
• Authorities are urged to expedite implementation of SCMTR, 2018 for better electronic cargo handling in such situations.
Overall, the circular aims to ensure continuity of trade, simplify procedures, and reduce delays during the current shipping disruption.
[Circular No. 15/2026-Customs]
