Institute Cargo Clauses (A) cover general average and salvage charges

We refer to your article (‘India’s trade hurdle: Bureaucrats unchecked, exporters unheard’ —BS 06.10.2025) where you have mentioned the government's instructions not to detain export cargo and release goods sent for testing within three days.

- SME CHATROOM TNC RAJAGOPALAN

Para 1.08 of FTP says that ‘consignments of items meant for exports shall not be withheld/delayed for any reason by any agency of Central/State Government. In case of any doubt, authorities concerned may ask for an undertaking from the exporter and release such consignment’. Para 4(d) of CBIC circular no.01/2011-Cus dated January 4, 2011 says that ‘export goods detained for purpose of tests etc. must be dealt with on priority and the export allowed expeditiously unless the prohibited nature of goods is confirmed. Continued detention of any export goods in excess of three days must be brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Customs, who will safeguard the interest of the genuine exporters as well as the revenue’. CBIC reiterated these instructions through its circular no.30/2013-Cus dated August 5, 2013 and said that ‘there can be no j