Breather for importers, ports

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced a new facility for accredited merchants to move, store, and clear imported goods at their authorized premises instead of at ports.

- Gireesh Chandra Prasad

The move seeks to reduce congestion at ports and give greater flexibility to importers who are authorized economic operators (AEOs).

The regulations notified on Monday take forward the government's promise of "trust first, scrutinise later" policy.

This facility is available for those in the upper tiers of the AEO scheme—a voluntary programme that makes trade hassle-free for importers, exporters and logistics players.