The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will host the National Symposium on Customs Reforms 2026 alongside the celebration of International Customs Day 2026 in the national capital tomorrow.
The theme for this year’s observance is “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.”
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MoS Finance to Preside Over Celebrations
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary will preside over the International Customs Day function. He will be joined by Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary, Department of Revenue, and Vivek Chaturvedi, Chairman, CBIC, along with senior officials from the Department of Revenue and CBIC.
Launch of Key Digital Initiatives
The International Customs Day programme will feature:
- Screening of a short film on Customs Reforms
- Audio-visual presentation and launch of Single Window SWIFT 2.0
- Release of the SWIFT 2.0 Booklet
- Launch of the Digital Travellers Guide
- Release of the revamped Atithi App
The event will also include stakeholder feedback from representatives of trade and industry, reflecting CBIC’s consultative and partnership-driven approach.
Distinguished officers will be honoured with the WCO Certificate of Merit, recognising their exceptional contribution to customs administration.
National Symposium on Customs Reforms 2026
Prior to the International Customs Day ceremony, CBIC will organise the National Symposium on Customs Reforms 2026.
The session will be presided over by Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava, alongside CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi. The proceedings will begin with contextual remarks by the Member (Customs), CBIC, followed by an overview presentation by the Joint Secretary (Customs), CBIC, outlining major policy and procedural advancements.
Focus Areas of the Symposium
The symposium will deliberate on:
- Trust-based customs processes and digital governance
- Recent legal amendments and import procedure reforms
- Strengthening the digital ecosystem through SWIFT 2.0 and the Customs Integrated System (CIS)
- Emerging export opportunities, including courier reforms and fisheries enablement
- Export procedure simplification
- Ease of living measures, particularly reforms relating to baggage rules and personal imports
The discussions aim to showcase India’s evolving customs framework built on transparency, efficiency, and facilitation.
Emphasis on Trade Facilitation and Citizen-Centric Reforms
The symposium will bring together senior policymakers, government officials, trade representatives, industry stakeholders, and officers from across the country. It underscores CBIC’s ongoing efforts to simplify procedures, enhance transparency, modernise digital infrastructure, and strengthen collaboration with trade and citizens.
Through these initiatives, CBIC continues to advance its reform agenda, reinforcing its role in protecting society while facilitating legitimate trade.
Officers Awarded WCO Certificate of Merit
The following officers will be conferred the WCO Certificate of Merit:
- Dr. Puneeta Bedi – Director, TRU-I, CBIC, New Delhi
- Balmukund – Additional Commissioner, CCO, Mumbai Customs Zone-I
- Ms. Parinati Sunkar – Additional Director, DRI, Indore Zonal Unit
- Kazi Suhail Aneesahmad – Additional Director, NCTC (Cargo), Mumbai
- Rigved Thakur – Joint Commissioner, Member (IT, TPS & Tech), CBIC
- Sadeesh Kumar K – Joint Commissioner, Chennai Airport Customs Commissionerate
- Amit Kumar Gupta – Joint Commissioner, Directorate of International Customs
- Sandeep Suryabhan Gunjal – Joint Commissioner, Commissioner of Customs, Airport and ACC, Bengaluru
- Roy Varghese – Deputy Commissioner, Custom House, Cochin
- Prabhjot Kaur – OSD, Customs & EB, CBIC, New Delhi
- Veenu Kavaria – Deputy Director, DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit
- Sakshi Garg – Under Secretary, GST Policy Wing, CBIC, New Delhi
- Rajender Kumar Gupta – Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Chief Commissioner, Customs Delhi Zone, New Delhi
- Ananya Kumar Singh – Technical Officer, TRU-I, CBIC, New Delhi
- Rajan Keswani – Superintendent, Customs IV Section, Customs Policy Wing
- Veena Rao – Superintendent, Customs, Canine Centre, Attari
- Bhawani Singh Shekhawat – Superintendent, Customs (Preventive), Jaipur
- Rajbinder Singh – Superintendent, DRI Regional Unit, Mangaluru
- Khaimuansang – Intelligence Officer, DRI, Aizawl Regional Unit
- Vinod Badola – Tax Assistant, DRI Headquarters, New Delhi
The awards recognise officers who have demonstrated vigilance, dedication, and commitment in strengthening India’s customs enforcement and facilitation framework.
