Postal Imports Regulations, 2025: New Rules for Clearing International Parcels Via Post [Read Notification]

The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, has issued Notification No. 18/2025-Customs (N.T.) dated 28th March 2025, introducing the Postal Imports Regulations, 2025. These regulations establish a comprehensive framework for customs assessment and clearance of goods imported through Foreign Post Offices ( FPOs ) in India.

The new rules are aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and digital processing of international postal parcels, and will come into effect from a date to be notified separately.

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Key provisions include:

• Applicability to goods arriving through notified Foreign Post Offices.
• Exclusions include perishables, animals, plants, precious metals and stones, and goods under export promotion schemes.
• Customs declarations via Forms CN 22, CN 23, or CP 72 will serve as the import entry.
• India Post must submit an electronic list (Form-I) of incoming parcels daily.
• For non-personal imports, a Postal Bill of Import (Form-II) must be filed electronically by the importer or their authorised agent.

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Parcels will be subjected to scanning and inspection based on pre-arrival data and risk-based assessment. Clearance will only be granted after successful assessment and payment of applicable duties. Delivery of parcels by the Postal Authority is prohibited unless customs clearance is granted.

Undelivered goods may be re-exported or disposed of after 30 days, subject to customs approval. Importers are required to retain relevant documents for five years. Penalties may apply for non-compliance under Section 158 of the Customs Act, 1962.

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The Commissioner of Customs is empowered to relax provisions in specific cases where compliance was not possible due to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or postal authority.

These regulations are expected to streamline postal imports and support the increasing volume of cross-border e-commerce and small-scale personal imports into India.

To Read the full text of the Notification CLICK HERE

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