Cargo clearance remains a long haul for importers; industry seeks relief

Industry says goods originating from least-developing countries but routed through some other country are not getting the preferential duty benefit

After a temporary relief, importers’ woes continued with 55 per cent of sea cargo taking over three days to get cleared by Customs.

Only a third of the consignments are getting cleared within the two-day mark in line with the World Bank’s ease of doing business standards. 

Similarly, only 11 per cent of inland container cargo got cleared within 48 hours as on Saturday, while 51 per cent of the bills of entries were stuck for over three days, according to ICE-DASH, an interactive visual dashboard.

Industry attributed it to gaps in implementation of the faceless assessment regime, besides delay in clearance of