1 day ago
India Urged to Reform Customs Payments to Cut Delays
India has a system that lets some importers pay customs duty later.
About 1,500 importers can use it.
That is less than 1% of all eligible businesses or users.
The system has been available for about ten years.
However, most importers still pay before collecting their shipments.
In 2026, only 12% of seaport bills used deferred payment.
At land borders, the figure was only 3%.
Reforming the default payment process could help reduce delays in getting goods.
About 1,500 importers are eligible to defer customs payments, representing well under 1%.
The deferral facility is rarely used despite being available for about a decade.
In 2026, deferred payments covered 12% of bills of entry at seaports.
At land borders, deferred payments covered just 3% of bills of entry in 2026.
Most importers still pay customs duty before receiving their shipments, causing logistical delays.
- Who
- Indian importers and the customs authorities managing duty payments.
- What
- India is being urged to reform its default customs-payment process and expand the use of deferred payments.
- Where
- At Indian seaports and land borders.
- When
- The facility has existed for about a decade; usage figures cited are for 2026.
- Why
- To minimize logistical delays caused by requiring most importers to pay duty before receiving shipments.
Key facts
- Eligible for deferred payment
- About 1,500 importers
- Share of eligible users
- Well under 1%
- Facility duration
- About a decade
- Seaport usage in 2026
- 12% of bills of entry
- Land-border usage in 2026
- 3% of bills of entry
- Current dominant practice
- Most importers pay duty before obtaining shipments
- Proposed objective
- Reduce logistical delays
Sources
Related news
CBIC Chief Urges Faster AI Use to Modernize Customs
India Plans Customs and Banking Reforms for Viksit Bharat
Chennai Customs Waives Container Charges Amid SCMTR Technical Disruptions
Centre Extends Sugar Import Processing Deadline as Prices Diverge
Hili Border Trade Halt Deepens Overloaded Truck Dispute
GST Council to Tackle Compliance, Credits and Mobile Rates
India's AI Optimism May Mask Job Losses and Uncertainty
Lord's Mark Advances Radiation-Free AI Breast Screening Toward Final Trials
Vaishali Parekh Recommends Three Stocks Amid Market Selloff
From Dubai IT Engineer to Multimillion-Dollar IBT Founder
Supreme Court Says National Symbols Must Respect Conscience
