Introducing Electronic Processing for Personal Carriage of Import/Export by Air Passengers Starting May 2025
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, has announced a significant update to the import and export procedures for gems, jewellery, and machinery samples/prototypes. Starting 1st May 2025, the electronic processing of Bill of Entry/Shipping Bill for goods being carried by air passengers will be introduced at select airports, enhancing efficiency and streamlining international trade.
Key Updates for Export/Import via Personal Carriage:
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Export of Gems and Jewellery:
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Available at Nine Airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Jaipur.
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This facility aligns with Para 4.87 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), facilitating easier and faster export of precious gems and jewellery through air passengers.
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Import of Gems and Jewellery:
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Available at Seven Airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Jaipur.
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As per Para 4.88 of HBP, this provision will allow quicker clearance and reduce delays in the import process, making it more efficient for businesses engaged in the gems and jewellery trade.
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Personal Carriage of Samples/Prototypes of Machinery:
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Initially Available at Four Airports: Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.
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This initiative provides an essential channel for high-end manufacturing businesses that need to transport machinery samples or prototypes for business purposes across borders.
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What This Means for Businesses and Passengers:
The introduction of electronic processing aims to significantly improve the efficiency of customs clearance for personal carriage of goods. The new measures are designed to provide a more streamlined, transparent, and faster process for both exporters and importers, particularly in sectors like gems and jewellery and high-end machinery manufacturing. By leveraging digital platforms, this initiative also promotes ease of doing business, aligning with the broader objective of facilitating trade and reducing manual paperwork.
Compliance with the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 and Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 will remain necessary for all transactions. The seamless electronic integration ensures that customs processing is faster, while also ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
Benefits:
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Faster Clearance: By digitizing and streamlining the process, passengers will experience quicker clearance times, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
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Enhanced Transparency: The system ensures greater transparency in the import/export process, reducing the chances of errors or delays.
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Ease of Business: This initiative is part of the government's continuous efforts to enhance business ease and improve international trade practices.
With these reforms in place, businesses involved in the gems and jewellery trade and the machinery manufacturing sector can look forward to smoother operations and faster customs clearance for personal carriage. This is a significant step towards modernizing India's trade processes, benefiting businesses and consumers alike.
For detailed guidelines, please refer to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023.