A newsletter from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), dated May 26, 2025, summarizes recent activities and developments. India participated in the 26th Regional Heads of Customs Administrations (RHCA) Conference in Hong Kong, focusing on trade facilitation and capacity building. On the sidelines, India and Singapore signed an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement to enhance supply chain security and trade. Bilateral meetings were also held with Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia, and Maldives. Domestically, the 3rd ADVAIT Hackathon, organized by the Directorate General of Systems, saw 31 teams from CBIC formations developing technological solutions for tax administration. The Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) signed an MoU with IIT Delhi to enhance its analytical capabilities in chemical testing, forensic science, and environmental compliance. Additionally, CBIC formations nationwide have begun pre-GST Day celebrations, including public outreach and stakeholder engagement, in anticipation of the 8th anniversary of the Goods and Services Tax.
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
DO No. 21/News Letter/CH(IC)/2025 Dated: 26th May 2025
Dear Colleague,
The 26th Regional Heads of Customs Administrations (RHCA) Conference of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia Pacific region was held in Hong Kong SAR last week. The conference brought together the heads of Customs authorities from across the Asia Pacific to deliberate on pressing issues related to trade facilitation, compliance, resilience, and capacity building. These engagements reaffirm India’s commitment to a cooperative and forward-looking customs ecosystem in the region.
In a significant step towards enhancing regional cooperation and trusted trade, India and Singapore signed the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on the sidelines of the RHCA Conference. This agreement is poised to strengthen regional supply chain security and facilitate smoother movement of trade between the two countries. In addition, bilateral meetings were also held with delegations from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia, and Maldives, further deepening customs cooperation with key regional partners.
Back home, the spirit of innovation and creativity was on full display during the 3rd edition of the ADVAIT Hackathon, organised by the Directorate General of Systems. With an overwhelming participation of 31 teams from across formations and zones, this was the largest hackathon ever conducted by the Department. The event highlighted the creative energy and collaborative mindset of CBIC officers in leveraging technology to search for solutions to various issues in tax administration. Heartiest congratulations to the teams from DRI Headquarters, Mumbai Customs Zone I, and DGGI Pune Zonal Unit for their winning ideas and solutions.
Charting new frontiers in specialized testing and analysis, the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. This collaboration marks a strategic initiative to bolster CRCL’s analytical and operational strengths in areas critical to its mandate. The MoU provides a structured framework for cooperation in advanced chemical testing, forensic science, and environmental compliance, leveraging IIT Delhi’s cutting-edge research and expertise. This partnership is expected to fast track the modernization of CRCL’s infrastructure and aligning its practices with global standards.
As the 8th anniversary of the Goods and Services Tax approaches, CBIC formations across the country have come alive with vibrant pre-GST Day celebrations beginning 15th May. From the flagging off of the “Sundays on Cycle” campaign to a variety of cultural and outreach activities including nukkad nataks, school and college competitions such as logo making, and interactions with MSMEs to address their concerns, the social media is abuzz with CBIC’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders and spreading awareness about the transformative impact of GST. I wish this momentum keeps going!
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes 86 Customs
