Customs:
CBIC vide Circular No. 47/2026-Customs dated November 01, 2026, has issued instructions regarding the implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018, providing for the phased discontinuation of erstwhile export messages.
The Board has observed that although DG Systems has deployed all import and export leg messages under the SCMTR framework, export-side message filing is still limited to certain ports. Further, stakeholders, including custodians, terminal operators and trans-shippers, are yet to fully transition to SCMTR-compliant software and message formats due to system integration and operational readiness requirements.
Accordingly, CBIC has decided to discontinue erstwhile export messages in a phased manner and mandate CIM messages under the SCMTR framework, with the transition to be completed by January 31, 2027, as per the schedule prescribed in Annexure A.
During the transition period, all stakeholders are required to adopt SCMTR-compliant software and message formats. Further, field formations have been directed to undertake stakeholder outreach, facilitate resolution of system-related issues in coordination with DG Systems and escalate policy-related issues to the Board. No penal action shall be taken during the implementation phase.
As per Annexure A (Page 3), the proposed phase-wise implementation schedule includes:
- Thiruvananthapuram – November 16, 2026
- Bengaluru – November 23, 2026
- Visakhapatnam & Hyderabad – November 27, 2026
- Bhubaneswar – December 01, 2026
- Trichy Preventive & Chennai – December 07, 2026
- Kolkata & Guwahati; Patna & Bhopal – December 14, 2026
- Delhi, Delhi Preventive & Meerut; Ahmedabad; Mumbai Zone I & II, Nagpur & Pune – January 06, 2027
[Circular No. 47/2026-Customs dated November 01, 2026]
