Overview
- CBIC issued a fresh SOP allowing vessels that return to India to unload at the nearest suitable port, with fresh arrival manifests and verification that includes 100% examination if container seals are tampered.
- International transshipment for less-than-container-load cargo has been expanded to all notified ports and airports until March 31 under temporary safeguards.
- Customs now permits temporary unloading and storage of diverted liquid bulk and break-bulk cargo under supervision to ease congestion and rerouting.
- Authorities will cancel shipping bills and Let Export Orders where exports do not materialize and will reverse or recover IGST refunds and duty drawback, with details shared via ICEGATE to RBI and DGFT once system updates go live; field units will maintain manual records in the interim.
- State-run CONCOR rolled out depot relief including 30 days of additional free storage, a 30% discount on reefer plug-in charges, eased wharfage, waivers of certain charges, and an extra 5% rail freight discount for containers returned from ports.