Customs schemes offer faster clearances, duty deferment benefits

MSME Corner Desk

Ahmedabad: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Gujarat, in association with the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), organised a seminar on Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) and Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations (MOOWR) in Ahmedabad, highlighting how these schemes can help businesses reduce costs, improve compliance and strengthen supply chain efficiency.

Senior officials from DGTS and the Customs Department interacted with industry representatives on measures aimed at enhancing India’s trade facilitation ecosystem and improving global competitiveness.

Addressing the inaugural session, Mr Sumit Kumar, IRS, Principal Additional Director General, DGTS, and Mr Manish Kulhary, IRS, Commissioner, Ahmedabad Customs Zone, shared insights on government initiatives designed to improve ease of doing business and streamline trade processes.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Samir Shah, Convenor, CII Gujarat Logistics Panel, said programmes such as AEO and MOOWR have become increasingly important as India pushes manufacturing growth through initiatives such as Make in India, PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy. He noted that these schemes help businesses build secure, efficient and cost-effective supply chains.

Industry experts and senior customs officials explained the practical aspects of obtaining AEO certification, compliance requirements and the operational advantages available under the MOOWR framework. The discussions focused on how manufacturers can optimise inventory management, defer customs duty payments and improve logistics efficiency.

For MSMEs engaged in exports or manufacturing, the seminar highlighted that AEO certification can lead to faster customs clearances and reduced inspections, while MOOWR can offer significant cash-flow benefits by allowing deferment of customs duties on imported goods used in manufacturing operations.

The event witnessed active participation from industry stakeholders, reflecting growing interest among businesses in leveraging government-backed trade facilitation schemes to improve competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment from both government and industry to work together in strengthening India’s position as a global manufacturing and trading hub.