CBIC Merges 31 Customs Notifications Into Single Framework
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has consolidated 31 separate customs duty notifications into one unified framework, effective November 1. This major simplification retains all existing duty exemptions while reducing regulatory complexity for traders.
Key Benefits for Importers and Exporters
The consolidation merges exemption and concessional duty provisions previously scattered across multiple documents. CBIC confirms that all existing benefits remain unchanged—importers and exporters won’t lose any advantages while gaining regulatory clarity.
Trade stakeholders previously navigated a maze of overlapping notifications. Now, importers, exporters, and customs brokers need only refer to the single consolidated notification instead of juggling dozens of older ones.
Supporting Documentation and Changes
To prevent confusion, CBIC has issued detailed FAQs covering IGST applicability, basic customs duty (BCD), and exemption validity under the new framework.
Two specific exemption modifications include:
- Expanded coverage for Air India Engineering Services Limited to include three B-737 and two B-777 aircraft maintained by the Indian Air Force
- Removal of 5% BCD for bulk drugs used in manufacturing poliomyelitis vaccines and mono-component insulins
This reform aligns with the government’s broader push to simplify indirect tax regulation and create a more business-friendly environment for global trade.
