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India eases customs for cargo ships returning from Strait of Hormuz
The move will help exporters whose cargo could not be delivered because of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war; ports will prioritise vessels carrying perishable goods
- PUBLISHED: Mon 9 Mar 2026, 1:02 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
In a bid to ease the problems relating to the export of Indian goods stuck up in the seas following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government has relaxed customs procedures for vessels returning with the cargo to ports back home.
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The move aims to ensure ‘back to town’ requests from Indian exporters whose cargo could not be delivered because of the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. The relaxation will be in force for a fortnight, allowing vessels returning to India to remove the containers without going through the standard procedures.
India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has simplified procedures for export cargo returning to ports because of their inability to deliver the goods in the Gulf. Customs officials will check the shipping bills and the integrity of container seals; those with broken seals will undergo complete examination, said the CBIC.
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The vessels returning to India will have to berth at the same one from where it left the country, except in instances of transhipment. Earlier, the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways allowed ports in the country to store cargo destined for the Gulf to manage the disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the region.
Ports have been asked to prioritise vessels carrying perishable goods to the Gulf. Several Indian containers carry fruits, vegetables, meat and other foodstuffs for the region, especially during the month of Ramadan. The government had directed ports to allow temporary storage of Gulf-bound cargo as transhipment ones, prioritise perishable shipments and coordinate with other government agencies.
Other measures include ports considering the requests for reduction, waiver or remission of some charges, including plugging and storage rent, on a case-by-case basis. This is to mitigate the impact of the Mideast crisis on the maritime trade.
The Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has also extended the ‘export obligation’ period from May 31, 2026, to August 31, 2026, without insisting on payment of the composition fee.
Indian exporters have been urging such relief to help overcome the crisis caused by the ongoing war. The commerce ministry has also informed exporters that full benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) will be restored from April 1, said the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. The current 50 per cent RoDTEP rates for most sectors ae valid only till March 31, 2026.
