FFFAI Presents Trade Facilitation Recommendations at 20th Customs Consultative Group Meeting

FFFAI Presents Detailed Trade Facilitation Recommendations at 20th Customs Consultative Group Meeting in Kolkata

The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) participated in the 20th Customs Consultative Group (CCG) Meeting held in Kolkata on 13 and 14 July 2026, placing before Customs authorities a comprehensive set of trade facilitation recommendations aimed at easing logistics operations and strengthening India’s international trade ecosystem.

The meeting was chaired by Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), alongside S. K. Sharma, Principal Director General of the Directorate General of Export Promotion (DGEP). Senior CBIC officers and representatives of leading trade bodies attended the two-day session to deliberate on key policy and operational issues concerning Customs administration and trade facilitation across the country.

FFFAI is the apex national body representing Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders and logistics service providers through its member associations spread across India, and works closely with the government and industry stakeholders on policy reforms, skill development and logistics efficiency.

The FFFAI delegation comprised Chairman Amit Kamat, Immediate Past Chairman Dushyant Mulani, Chairman-Elect Nataraja and Honorary Secretary Sudip Dey. Office bearers of the Calcutta Customs House Agents’ Association were also present for the interaction with CBIC officials.

Drawing on feedback gathered from member associations nationwide, FFFAI submitted a range of recommendations focused on reducing logistics costs, improving ease of doing business and enhancing customs efficiency. The key issues raised included:

Incorporating important CBIC instructions into the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations (CBLR), 2018, to bring greater clarity and consistency.

Building a trust-based compliance framework by minimising avoidable litigation and offering Customs Brokers protection in cases involving interpretational disputes.

Introducing comprehensive reforms within the Faceless Assessment system to improve turnaround and predictability.

Enhancing operational performance of digital platforms including SWIFT 2.0, ICEGATE and CBLMS for better system reliability and user experience.

Ensuring time-bound processing of refund claims along with broader simplification of customs procedures.

Strengthening coordination with Participating Government Agencies (PGAs) to speed up issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and laboratory test reports.

Implementing infrastructure and policy measures to cut cargo dwell time, streamline clearance timelines and lower overall logistics costs.

Officials and delegates engaged in detailed deliberations on practical challenges faced by trade and industry across various customs stations, with discussions described as constructive and outcome-oriented.

Speaking after the meeting, FFFAI Chairman Amit Kamat said the CCG remains a vital platform for dialogue between Customs and trade, adding that the federation appreciated CBIC’s continued engagement with stakeholders. He noted the recommendations were rooted in real challenges faced by Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders across India,and expressed confidence that their implementation would boost the competitiveness of the country’s logistics sector.

FFFAI reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with CBIC and other stakeholders in advancing customs reforms and digital transformation initiatives that support a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive trade environment.