Summary: Chennai Air Cargo Commissionerate, through Public Notice No. 19/2026 dated 24 September 2026, has directed verification of mandatory compliance documents before granting Out-of-Charge (OOC) for imports of Cosmetics, Drugs and Medical Devices covered by PGA-facilitated Bills of Entry. The Public Notice has been issued in pursuance of CBIC Circular No. 40/2026-Customs dated 03.09.2026, which prescribes CDSCO checklists for seven categories of such products.
The prescribed compliance covers licences, permissions, registration certificates and other documents required under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules made thereunder. Proper Officers granting OOC must verify the applicable documents and particulars prescribed in the relevant CDSCO checklist contained in Annexure-A to Circular No. 40/2026-Customs. Importers, Customs Brokers and other stakeholders have been advised to upload the mandatory documents on e-SANCHIT to facilitate expedited clearance. The Public Notice takes effect immediately.
The enclosed CBIC Circular covers seven checklists relating to cosmetics; drugs including APIs and finished formulations; specified drug imports for personal use or patient treatment; drugs for examination, test or analysis; medical devices including IVDs; specified imports of medical devices; and raw materials/components used for manufacture of medical devices. The checklists prescribe category-specific documents including registration certificates, import licences or permissions, invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, labels, certificates of analysis, storage-premises licences and importer undertakings.
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (AIR CARGO)
NEW CUSTOM HOUSE, CHENNAI-VII COMMISSIONERATE,
AIR CARGO COMPLEX, MEENAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI 600 016
Public Notice No. 19/2026-DGFT | Dated : 24th September, 2026
Subject: Verification of mandatory compliance documents for import of Cosmetics, Drugs and Medical Devices before granting Out-of-Charge in PGA-facilitated Bills of Entry – reg.
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Attention is invited to CBIC Circular No. 40/2026-Customs dated 03.09.2026 (copy enclosed) on the above subject.
2. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in alignment with the Government’s objective of enhancing the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ is taking measures to increase the facilitation of Cosmetics, Drugs and Medical Devices. The said products require certain mandatory compliance in terms of licenses, permissions, registration certificates, etc., as per the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder. The CDSCO has provided checklists for the following 7 such categories of products.
3. Before granting Out-of-Charge (OOC), the proper officer shall verify the applicable documents and particulars as prescribed in the relevant CDSCO checklist contained in Annexure-A of CBIC Circular No. 40/2026-Customs dated 03.09.2026.
4. Importers, Customs Brokers and all other stakeholders are advised to take note of the contents of the said circular and ensure that the mandatory documents are uploaded on e-SANCHIT to facilitate expedited clearance by the Proper Officers granting Out-of-Charge.
5. Difficulties faced, if any, in the implementation of this Public Notice may be brought to the notice of the Additional/Joint Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Air Cargo Commissionerate.
6. This Public Notice is issued in pursuance of CBIC Circular No. 40/2026-Customs dated 03.09.2026 and shall come into effect immediately.
7. This issues with the approval of the Commissioner of Customs, Air Cargo Commissionerate, New Custom House, Chennai.
Joint Commissioner of Customs
Appraising Main, ACC.
Encl: CBIC Circular No. 40/2026-Customs dated 03.09.2026
Copy to:
1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Customs Zone.
2. The Pr. Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs, Chennai Customs Zone.
3. All ADC/JC/DC/AC of Chennai-VII.
4. General Commissionerate EDI for uploading in the website.
5. CHS for placing in the Notice Board.
