Instruction No. 11/2026-Customs, Dated 23-06-2026
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued an instruction establishing a Green Channel mechanism for the expeditious Customs clearance of pollution response equipment, materials and associated resources required to combat oil spills and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill incidents at sea.
The mechanism aims to facilitate the swift movement of critical response equipment during maritime emergencies while ensuring compliance with the Customs regulatory framework.
1. Green Channel Mechanism Introduced
The Green Channel has been established to provide priority Customs clearance for consignments required for pollution-response operations during emergencies.
The facility is intended to ensure the timely availability of equipment and materials necessary to contain and mitigate oil and HNS spill incidents.
2. Coverage of Import and Export Transactions
The Green Channel will facilitate expedited Customs clearance for:
- Imports;
- Exports;
- Temporary imports;
- Temporary exports;
- Re-imports; and
- Re-exports
of pollution response equipment, materials and other associated resources used in oil and HNS spill response operations.
3. Designated Green Channel Locations
The Green Channel will operate at specified Customs locations linked to the following Indian Coast Guard District Headquarters:
- Okha;
- Mumbai;
- Kochi;
- Chennai;
- Paradip; and
- Sri Vijay Puram.
These locations have been identified to support the rapid deployment of response resources during maritime pollution emergencies.
4. Priority Processing During Emergency Situations
The instruction provides for:
- Expeditious Customs clearance;
- Hassle-free processing; and
- Priority handling of eligible consignments
required for pollution response operations during oil and HNS spill emergencies.
The objective is to minimise delays in the mobilisation of critical response resources.
5. Compliance with Customs Law
CBIC has clarified that the Green Channel mechanism will operate within the framework of:
- The Customs Act, 1962; and
- Other applicable laws.
The facilitation mechanism does not dispense with any statutory requirements, unless a specific exemption is provided under the applicable legal provisions.
6. Objective of the Instruction
The instruction seeks to:
- Facilitate rapid Customs clearance during maritime pollution emergencies;
- Ensure timely availability of pollution response equipment;
- Strengthen India’s preparedness for oil and HNS spill incidents;
- Support the operational requirements of the Indian Coast Guard; and
- Improve coordination between Customs authorities and emergency response agencies.
7. Expected Impact
The Green Channel is expected to significantly reduce Customs clearance timelines for critical pollution response consignments, enabling faster deployment of equipment and resources during maritime emergencies while maintaining compliance with the applicable legal framework.
8. Key Takeaway
CBIC has established a Green Channel mechanism for the expedited Customs clearance of pollution response equipment and related resources required during oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill emergencies. The facility will operate at designated Customs locations linked to Coast Guard District Headquarters and will cover imports, exports, temporary imports, temporary exports, re-imports and re-exports, while continuing to operate within the framework of the Customs Act, 1962 and other applicable laws.
