Customs is Now a Proactive Trade Facilitator : FICCI

WARANGAL, August 25, 2026: Underscoring a significant paradigm shift in India's cross-border trade administration, Shri P. Satish, IRS, Additional Commissioner of Customs, Hyderabad, stated that the Customs Department has successfully transitioned from a traditional duty collection agency into a dedicated facilitator of global trade.

Addressing regional entrepreneurs at an exclusive Export Awareness Workshop organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with the Warangal Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the M.K. Naidu Hotel & Convention Centre today, Shri Satish urged local exporters to leverage modernised, transparent customs procedures to maximise their international footprint.

Taking center stage at the workshop, Shri Satish highlighted the sweeping changes in customs operations implemented since 1998. He noted that today, nearly 90 percent of import consignments are facilitated seamlessly with zero interference, reflecting the department's commitment to building a frictionless business environment.

By implementing advanced digital measures such as the E-sealing process and the E-way bill system for container movement, the department now ensures absolute transparency, allowing real-time data monitoring that prevents tampering while accelerating clearances.

Dispelling the myth that government applications are cumbersome, he extended an open invitation to Warangal’s exporters to directly collaborate with the Hyderabad Customs office, which operates round-the-clock to resolve logistical hurdles and develop the region's untapped export potential.

The workshop primarily focused on demystifying the ATA Carnet and UN TIR systems, which act as powerful catalysts for seamless international trade. Mr. P.S. Pruthi, Senior Consultant at FICCI and Former Member of CESTAT, explained that the ATA Carnet serves as a "passport for goods," allowing duty-free temporary imports for exhibitions and professional equipment across multiple countries without the need for separate customs declarations. Complementing this, the UN TIR system facilitates the secure, regular transit of commercial cargo across international borders without containers being subjected to repeated customs inspections at intermediate transit points.

Detailing the operational mechanics, Ms. S. Vijayalakshmi, Director at FICCI, emphasised FICCI’s critical role as the national issuing and guaranteeing association for both systems in India. She guided the attendees through the streamlined documentation process, noting that the expansion of authorized customs ports and the upcoming transition to an e-Carnet system will further eliminate financial guarantees at foreign borders, thereby drastically reducing time and administrative burdens for Indian businesses.