Customs transitioned from duty collector to trade facilitator, says official

The Customs Department has successfully transitioned from a traditional duty collection agency into a dedicated facilitator of global trade, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Nearly 90% of import consignments are facilitated seamlessly with zero interference, reflecting the commitment to build a frictionless business environment. The Department is implementing advanced digital measures such as the e-sealing process and the e-way bill system for container movement thus ensuring absolute transparency, allowing real-time data monitoring that prevents tampering while accelerating clearances, said Additional Commissioner of Customs, Hyderabad, P. Satish.

The official, who was addressing an export awareness workshop organised by industry body FICCI in Warangal, invited the exim trade of the city to collaborate with the Hyderabad Customs office. The office operates round-the-clock to resolve logistical hurdles and develop the region’s untapped export potential. He urged the exporters to leverage modernised, transparent Customs procedures to maximise their international footprint.

The workshop was primarily focused on demystifying the ATA Carnet and UN TIR systems, which act as powerful catalysts for seamless international trade, the organisers of the programme said in a release.

Senior Consultant at FICCI and former member of CESTAT P.S. Pruthi said 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. The UN TIR system facilitates secure, regular transit of commercial cargo across international borders without containers being subjected to repeated customs inspections at intermediate transit points.

Warangal Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Bommineni Ravinder Reddy highlighted the growth potential of Warangal’s agro-based exports, particularly chillies and mangoes to south-east Asian markets. FICCI director S. Vijayalakshmi spoke on the occasion.