Customs:
CBIC, vide Circular No. 08/2026-Customs dated February 28, 2026, has operationalised the extension of the facility of deferred payment of Customs import duty to “Eligible Manufacturer Importers” (EMI), pursuant to Notification No. 12/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated February 01, 2026. The facility shall be available from April 01, 2026 and will remain in force up to March 31, 2028.
The benefit enables approved EMIs to defer payment of import duty in terms of the Deferred Payment of Import Duty Rules, 2016. For Bills of Entry returned for payment during any month (other than March), duty shall be payable by the 1st day of the succeeding month; for the month of March, payment shall be made by March 31.
Eligibility is subject to prescribed conditions including manufacturer/importer status (or job work model under Section 143 of the CGST Act), valid IEC, minimum Customs compliance footprint (25 documents; 10 for MSMEs), GST registration and compliance, turnover exceeding ₹5 crore, financial solvency certified by a Chartered Accountant, and absence of prosecution, conviction, insolvency, or tax default. Applications are to be filed electronically on the AEO India portal from March 01, 2026, with approval granted by the Directorate of International Customs (DIC), CBIC.
The measure is intended to expedite Customs clearance, enhance liquidity for compliant manufacturers, and facilitate transition towards higher AEO accreditation.
[Circular No. 08/2026-Customs dated February 28, 2026]
