Strait of Hormuz closure: bulk cargo bound for foreign ports may be stored and transhipped at Indian ports till 31 October 2026

Background

CBIC had issued Circulars 12/2026, 15/2026 and 25/2026-Customs under section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962 on the West Asia crisis. Trade has represented that disruption of maritime routes and uncertainty in the Gulf region continue.

What is permitted

• International transhipment of both FCL and LCL cargo from all seaports and international airports, including through other Customs stations.
• For liquid bulk, break bulk and solid/dry bulk cargo destined for foreign ports and compelled to divert to an Indian port: the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner may permit temporary unloading, storage and transhipment in Customs areas, bonded warehouses, bonded tanks, silos, yards or other approved storage facilities — solely for onward transhipment or re-export.
• Repacking of bulk cargo, where operationally necessary, within the Customs area under Customs supervision.

The conditions

• Customs supervision during discharge, ullage survey and quantity determination.
• Storage in the custody of an approved custodian under section 45, with proper inventory records.
• A suitable bond or undertaking, and testing of the cargo.
• The cargo is not to be cleared for home consumption or diverted into the Domestic Tariff Area.
• Where more than one Customs station is involved, the Nodal Officer of the originating station first takes consent by official e-mail from the transit or destination station.