Customs transitioned from duty collector to trade facilitator, says official

A senior government official has revealed that the Customs Department in India has successfully shifted its focus from merely collecting duties to serving as a facilitator for global trade. According to the official, nearly 90% of import shipments are now processed smoothly without any hindrance, demonstrating the government's dedication to creating a business environment that is free from unnecessary complications.

To achieve this, the department is utilizing advanced digital tools, including the e-sealing process and the e-way bill system, for managing container movements. These measures ensure full transparency, enabling real-time monitoring of data and expediting clearances. This shift in role was highlighted during an export awareness workshop organized by the industry body FICCI in Warangal, where the Additional Commissioner of Customs for Hyderabad, P. Satish, addressed the attendees.

Inviting the city's exporters to partner with the Hyderabad Customs office, the official encouraged them to adopt modernized, transparent procedures to expand their international reach. The Customs office operates 24/7 to address logistical challenges and unlock the region's untapped export potential. The workshop stressed the significance of understanding the ATA Carnet and the UN TIR systems, which are instrumental in streamlining international trade.

The ATA Carnet functions as a passport for goods, enabling duty-free temporary imports for exhibitions and professional equipment across multiple countries without requiring individual customs declarations. On the other hand, the UN TIR system streamlines the secure, regular transit of commercial cargo across international borders, eliminating the need for repeated customs inspections at intermediate points.

Warangal Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Bommineni Ravinder Reddy, highlighted the region's potential for agro-based exports, particularly chillies and mangoes to Southeast Asian markets. FICCI director S. Vijayalakshmi also spoke at the event.