The Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has issued Circular No. 36/2026-Customs dated 20 August 2026, which highlights measures for international cargo affected by the persistent disruption of maritime routes and uncertainties in the Gulf region, due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The circular clarifies that international transshipment of full container load and less than container load cargo can temporarily use Indian port storage resources if it has been affected by the closure.
Part 4(i) of the circular states: ‘Jurisdictional Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs may permit, temporary unloading, storage and transshipment of liquid bulk, break bulk and dry/solid bulk cargo destined for foreign ports which are compelled to divert to an Indian port due to maritime security concerns, disruption of international shipping routes, or other logistical exigencies, in Customs areas, bonded warehouses, bonded tanks, silos, yards or other approved storage facilities for the sole purpose of onward international transshipment or re-export.’
The circular will remain in force until 31 October 2026.
