Customs reforms are expected to play a significant role in supporting India’s manufacturing growth and the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises, according to senior government officials.
Speaking at the National Symposium on Customs Reforms 2026, Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, stated that customs procedures must actively facilitate exporters’ access to global markets efficiently.
Shrivastava noted that two central pillars of the customs reform agenda announced in the Union Budget are “trust and stakeholders” and “the effective use of technology”. He stated that the Customs Department would continue strengthening operational systems while enhancing capabilities in both technology and human resources.
He also emphasised the evolving engagement between tax authorities and industry participants. “Instead of an authoritative and adversarial relationship between the tax department and the industry, we are building a relationship of partnership, of collaboration, and of cooperation,” he said.
Governance and trade facilitation
According to Shrivastava, India’s expanding trade volumes and increasing integration with global value chains require governance systems around efficient and responsive.
“Equally significant is the focus on export opportunities. India seeks to expand manufacturing and support MSMEs, digital entrepreneurs and startups, customs procedures must actively enable exporters to access global markets with speed and certainty,” he added.
Transparency measures introduced
Srivastava said that the tax department has begun publishing draft rules in the public domain for stakeholder consultation. “this indicates our openness and willingness to listen and incorporate suggestions that are beneficial for all,” he stated.
Earlier this month, draft rules and forms under the Income Tax Act, 2025, were released for consultation ahead of the law’s implementation slated for April 1st. He added, “As India progresses towards the vision of Vikshit Bharat 2047, efficient, technology-enabled border management remains central to sustaining economic momentum. Customs reforms, therefore, are not isolated changes, but an integral component of the national economic strategy.”
Source: Fortune India
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