CBIC will introduce electronic processing for personal baggage containing import/export consignments at select airports from May 1, 2025, streamlining clearance for gems, jewellery, samples, and prototypes. Export of gems and jewellery via personal carriage will be enabled at nine airports, with import at seven. Machinery samples/prototypes can be carried through Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. The Lucknow CGST Zone completed a Swachhta Project initiative building sanitation facilities in two girls’ schools in Maharajganj, UP. NACIN Palasamudram held a webinar on APAR writing and representation procedures. DRI Mumbai and regional units busted a Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Latur, seizing drugs and arresting individuals. A DRI Bengaluru officer was recognized for his efforts in intercepting smuggling activities using data analytics and technology, leading to significant seizures.
Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC dated 15th April, 2025
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
15th April, 2025
DO No. 15/News Letter/CH(IC)/2025
Dear Colleague,
In a significant step towards trade facilitation and ease of doing business, CBIC is set to introduce electronic processing of import and export consignments carried personally by air passengers, effective from 01St May 2025. This initiative will streamline the clearance of gems and jewellery as well as samples and prototypes of machinery at designated airports. The facility will enable the export of gems and jewellery through personal carriage at nine airports—Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Jaipur—and allow imports at seven of these locations, excluding Kochi and Coimbatore. Additionally, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai airports will also facilitate the carriage of machinery samples and prototypes. Aligned with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures, this harmonised and digitised process will greatly enhance efficiency, predictability, and transparency, particularly benefiting the high-value gems and jewellery sector and advanced manufacturing.
As part of its commitment to Swachhta and social responsibility, the Lucknow CGST Zone undertook a novel initiative under the Swachhta Project for the construction of toilets, water troughs, septic tanks, and soak pits in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya and Government Girls Inter College, both located in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh. Initiated in July 2022, the project has been recognized as one of the Best Practices under Special Campaign 4.0. It was successfully completed in March 2025. Designed to directly impact the well-being and hygiene of approximately 5,000 girl students from remote village areas, the infrastructure upgrade is expected to make a lasting difference. The completed facilities were inaugurated and handed over last week by Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, in the presence of the Zonal Member, CBIC, marking a proud moment of community engagement for the department.
As you are aware, the timelines for the APAR process have been communicated by DGHRD. To bring clarity regarding the process, a National Webinar on “Insights into Writing APARs and Representations on Gradings and Comments in APARs” was organized by NACIN Palasamudram last week. The session featured a detailed and insightful presentation by the ADG, HRM-I, aimed at deepening officers’ understanding of APAR writing and the procedures for making representations on gradings and remarks.
On the enforcement front, the officers of DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit, Pune Regional Unit and Nagpur Regional Unit busted a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility operating from a remote hilltop location in Rohina village, Latur district of Maharashtra in a meticulously planned and daring operation. Acting on specific intelligence, officers mounted weeks-long surveillance, navigating the challenging terrain and heightened vigilance of the syndicate. In an early-hour operation, DRI teams trekked on foot to raid the secluded site, uncovering 11.36 kg of Mephedrone (8.44 kg in dry form and 2.92 kg in liquid form) valued at Rs. 17 crore in the illicit market. The officers also seized large quantities of raw materials and full-scale laboratory equipment. Five persons were apprehended at the site, with the financier and distributor nabbed subsequently in Mumbai. Great teamwork!
Sh. Raman Misra, SIO, DRI Bengaluru Zonal Unit, has been recognized in the “Customs Appreciation” corner of the Asia Pacific Customs News (Vol. 74). An assiduous officer, he left no stone unturned in intercepting the smuggling of foreign-origin gold, foreign currency, wildlife, and high-value electronics by using advanced data analytics, and emerging technologies. He is credited with high-impact seizures valued at over Rs. 4,800 crore — including sizeable quantities of NDPS substances such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, etc. This year, he was conferred the prestigious WCO Certificate of Merit on International Customs Day 2025. His dedication exemplifies the highest standards of service and commitment as a Customs officer.
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes 86 Customs.
