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Business Standard

Fifth edition of Time Release Study shows faster import clearance at ports

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday released the fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS), which showed a significant reduction in average cargo release times across key import gateways between 2023 and 2025. According to the central board of indirect taxes and customs (CBIC) report, average release times fell by approximately six hours at seaports, 5 hours at air cargo complexes (ACCs), and 18 hours at integrated check posts (ICPs). However, inland container depots (ICDs) recorded a 12-hour increase during 2023 and 2025. The study also revealed that 93.33 per cent of import cargo at ICPs met the 48-hour release target set under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0, followed by 55 per cent at ACCs, 51.8 per cent at seaports, and 43.7 per cent at ICDs. Export clearance times remained fastest at air cargo complexes, where regulatory clearance took less than 4 hours. In contrast, export processing at seaports averaged nearly 30 hours, with logistics post-clearance stretching to more than 157 hours. 'High levels of facilitation (87–93 per cent) were observed across ports. Release times were also influenced by cargo characteristics. For instance, refrigerated goods moved faster through air cargo, factory-stuffed cargo was cleared quicker than ICD-stuffed cargo,' the government said. Sitharaman unveiled the report during the CBIC Conclave in New Delhi. The 'Path to Promptness' framework -- emphasising advance filing, risk-based facilitation, AEO accreditation, and Direct Port Delivery-- was cited as a major driver of improvements. However, delays persisted in areas like duty payments, regulatory query resolution, and post-clearance logistics.