Self-declaration to simplify duty payments and refunds for businesses: CBIC chief

NEW DELHI : The Centre has introduced a major simplification to customs procedures through an amendment in the Finance Bill 2025, aimed at enhancing ease of doing business for importers and exporters. The reform allows businesses to voluntarily revise customs declarations after clearance—either to pay additional duty or claim refunds—without undergoing time-consuming appeal processes. Read this | Days of intrusive tax scrutiny are over, taxpayer facilitation is the new mantra: CBDT chairperson Ravi Agarwal Budget documents outline that the newly introduced section in the Customs Act of 1962 allows businesses to voluntarily revise their customs declarations post-clearance within a prescribed timeframe. This provision treats such revisions as self-assessments, enabling businesses to either pay additional duty or claim refunds without undergoing lengthy appeals, according to the explanation to the Finance Bill 2025. Rajat Mohan, Senior Partner at AMRG & Associates, noted that Section 18A brings India in line with countries like Australia, the UK, and the European Union, where businesses can revise customs declarations post-clearance to ensure compliance while minimizing procedural hurdles.