India has launched a special drive to clear long-pending containers and goods at ports, as the government looks to free up storage space and improve logistics capacity amid disruptions to global shipping and supply chains caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), under the Ministry of Finance, has asked Customs formations across the country to dispose of eligible unclaimed, uncleared, seized and confiscated goods by October 31, 2026.
The move follows a recent review of the performance of Customs zones, during which field formations were asked to reduce pending cases and submit action plans for disposing of eligible goods.
The CBIC said it had received representations from stakeholders, including the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), over the accumulation of unclaimed and long-standing containers at major Customs ports.
Despite several earlier instructions aimed at ensuring timely disposal, the Board said a significant volume of such goods continued to occupy valuable storage space at ports.
The accumulation is “adversely impacting port efficiency, reducing container availability for trade and increasing logistics costs,” the CBIC said in its communication to Customs authorities.
West Asia crisis adds urgency
The government has linked the latest push to disruptions in global shipping and supply chains arising from the ongoing West Asia crisis.
“In view of the disruptions to global shipping and supply chains arising from the ongoing West Asia crisis, it is imperative to optimise domestic logistics capacity and ensure efficient utilisation of port infrastructure,” the CBIC said.
The special drive will run until October 31, with Customs zones given a mandate to bring the pendency of eligible cases down to zero by the deadline.
Field formations have been asked to conduct a comprehensive review of pending cases, coordinate with relevant stakeholders and closely monitor progress to ensure eligible goods are disposed of within the stipulated period.
Customs formations have also been directed to submit Container Freight Station (CFS)- and Inland Container Depot (ICD)-wise data on pending cases to the Board at the earliest.
Reefer containers to get priority
The CBIC has asked authorities to give priority to releasing reefer containers and other specialised equipment considered critical for export logistics.
Reefer containers are temperature-controlled containers used to transport perishable and temperature-sensitive goods, making their availability particularly important for exporters of products such as food and pharmaceuticals.
Customs zones will also have to submit weekly progress reports to the CBIC during the drive.
The government expects the exercise to release port and container capacity currently tied up by long-standing cargo, improve the availability of containers for trade and help contain logistics costs at a time when global shipping networks remain under pressure.
