CBIC Issues New Guidelines to Simplify Customs Duties on Gifts and Personal Imports Through Courier and Postal Mode

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has taken a significant step to address the concerns of citizens and the trade community regarding customs duties on gifts and personal imports through courier and postal modes. In its latest Instruction No. 28/2025-Customs, dated August 27, 2025, the Board has outlined measures to enhance transparency and provide clarity on the applicable rules and procedures.

Why This Initiative?

The CBIC has been receiving numerous grievances related to the duty structure, Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, and procedural requirements for imports and exports via courier and postal services. Despite the existence of clear rules and regulations, a lack of awareness among importers and exporters has led to confusion and persistent issues.

Key Highlights of the Instruction

To address these challenges, the CBIC has directed Customs Zones to take the following steps:

Publication of FAQs: Customs Zones are to prepare and publish a comprehensive FAQ document on their respective websites. This document will cover:
- Duty structure on gifts and personal imports, including sample duty calculations.
- KYC norms for imports and exports through courier and postal modes.
- Applicable fees and charges.
- Grievance redressal mechanisms.
- Other relevant procedural information to assist citizens.
Enhanced Transparency: The FAQs will be prominently displayed on Zonal and Commissionerate websites to ensure easy access for the public and trade bodies.
Grievance Monitoring: Customs Zones are instructed to maintain proper records of grievances and monitor them regularly to ensure timely resolution.
Wide Publicity: Efforts will be made to widely publicize the FAQs among the general public and trade bodies to increase awareness.

What This Means for You

If you are an importer or exporter using courier or postal services, this initiative aims to make your experience smoother and more transparent. The FAQs will serve as a one-stop resource for understanding the duty structure, KYC requirements, and other procedures, helping you avoid confusion and delays.

How to Stay Updated

Keep an eye on the official websites of your local Customs Zones or Commissionerates for the publication of these FAQs. Additionally, trade bodies and associations are expected to disseminate this information widely.

Grievance Redressal

If you face any issues or have concerns, the CBIC has emphasized the importance of a robust grievance redressal mechanism. Ensure that you report your grievances through the appropriate channels for timely resolution.

Conclusion

The CBIC’s proactive approach to addressing the concerns of citizens and the trade community is a welcome move. By simplifying procedures and enhancing transparency, the Board aims to create a more user-friendly environment for imports and exports through courier and postal modes. Stay informed, and make the most of these resources to ensure a hassle-free experience.

In case you face any issues related to Indirect Tax-Customs, GST, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Arbitration matters and Central Licensing and related advisory matters in India then please feel free to get in touch with SJ EXIM Services.

We offer Legal advice and litigation support in matters related to Indirect Tax-Customs, FTP, other Indirect Tax matters & Arbitration law, all sorts of Central licensing and related matters. Come and explore the new way of doing business with us!

Source: CBIC, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India

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