In a major trade-facilitation reform aimed at transforming India’s import–export clearance ecosystem, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has launched SWIFT 2.0 – an advanced, fully digital Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade.
The upgraded platform is designed to serve as a unified single touch point for importers, exporters and all Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), ensuring end-to-end digital processing of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) required for EXIM shipments.
The circular dated 21 November 2025 states that SWIFT 2.0 enhances automation, ensures seamless data exchange and replaces the earlier document-repository-based system with a more robust data-driven digital architecture.
According to CBIC, the following enhanced services are available to importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders:
- Upload of additional data fields and documents required by PGAs directly on SWIFT 2.0, minimizing physical interaction with government departments.
- Unified dashboard for users to track all NOC applications and access historical transactions with PGAs.
- Real-time alerts through SMS and email on every status change in NOC processing.
- Integrated online payment module for PGA fees along with digital receipts.
- Scheduling and tracking of PGA visual inspections directly through the portal.
- Digital viewing and download of NOCs issued by PGAs.
- Gradual integration of all PGAs into a single system, eliminating the need to visit multiple departmental portals.
Phase-1 Rollout: AQCS, PQMS and FSSAI Now Live
SWIFT 2.0 is designed for onboarding over 60 PGAs, but the first phase covers three critical agencies:
- Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS)
- Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS)
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
The circular contains annexures with detailed data fields and mandatory document codes for each agency that importers must provide either at the time of Bill of Entry filing or through the SWIFT 2.0 unified dashboard.
Mandatory Compliance Deadline
CBIC has clarified that mandatory filing for all three PGAs — AQCS, PQMS & FSSAI — will be enforced from December 1, 2025.
Field formations have been instructed to immediately issue Trade/Public Notices to sensitize stakeholders to the new data requirements and document protocols.
Shift From SWIFT 1.0
The earlier version of SWIFT—introduced in 2015 and enhanced until 2016—allowed online submission of customs clearance documents but still required importers to separately upload documents on specific PGA portals for NOC processing. SWIFT 2.0 eliminates this duplication, delivering the true “single window” model since all data, inspection, NOC approvals and payments now occur within one system.
Operational Adjustments for Trade
The Board has advised:
- Importers/exporters to ensure accurate filing of PGA-specific data fields in the Bill of Entry.
- Customs brokers to prepare for significant changes in BE data requirements and documentation codes.
- Trade to utilize the integrated dashboard for additional document submissions wherever required by PGAs.
Circular-No-29-2025
DG Systems will issue a comprehensive advisory to guide implementation and smooth transition. Any challenges arising during rollout may be escalated to CBIC for immediate resolution.
Industry Impact Outlook
With SWIFT 2.0, CBIC intends to dramatically reduce clearance times, simplify compliance, and prevent delays caused by inter-agency coordination bottlenecks. The upgrade is expected to significantly support trade efficiency for categories involving food, livestock, plants, agricultural consignments and highly regulated commodities, which historically witness the highest quantum of PGA-based interventions.
Notification Details
Circular No.29/2025-Customs
Date: 21/11/2025
