The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs organized a hybrid outreach program regarding the Duty Deferment Scheme for eligible manufacturer importers to facilitate quicker clearances. This scheme enables eligible manufacturer importers to clear goods without immediate duty payment and instead pay duties on a monthly basis. Customs officials, trade body representatives, industry members, and key stakeholders participated in the event to discuss the benefits and operational details of the scheme.
The session featured a comprehensive presentation followed by an interactive segment to address queries from the trade and industry stakeholders. Approved applicants can utilize this facility across all Customs formations starting from April 1, 2026, until March 31, 2028. The scheme is open to MSMEs and manufacturer importers with a valid IEC, requiring a minimum of 25 EXIM documents filed in the previous financial year (10 for MSMEs), GST compliance with no pending returns, demonstrated financial solvency, and a clean compliance record.
Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, this scheme aims to enhance domestic manufacturing by improving liquidity and expediting cargo clearance processes. Applications for the scheme can be submitted online through the AEO portal (www.aeoindia.gov.in), which has been operational since March 1, 2026, offering a fully digital process without any physical interface. Yogendra Garg, Member (Customs) at CBIC, highlighted that the scheme focuses on a trust-based approach to facilitate faster clearances and reduce dwell time, aiming to foster a more efficient and collaborative compliance environment.
The key advantages of this scheme include enhanced liquidity for manufacturers, expedited clearance processes with reduced dwell time, improved import planning and inventory management, reinforced payment discipline, increased global competitiveness, and enhanced supply chain efficiency. The CBIC is dedicated to nurturing a transparent, efficient, and globally competitive trade ecosystem through facilitation, technology, and trust-based compliance.
