Budget 2026: Single Digital Window, AI Customs Scanning and Export Boost for Fishermen, E-Commerce

The Union Budget for the Financial Year 2026–27 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha today (Sunday, 1 February 2026), with the Government announcing a major overhaul of customs processes, including a single digital clearance window, AI-based container scanning, and export incentives for fishermen and e-commerce businesses.

The Finance Minister said approvals and clearances from various government agencies will be seamlessly processed through a single interconnected digital window by the end of the financial year. Processes related to food, drugs, plant, animal and wildlife products accounting for nearly 70% of inter-agency cargo will be brought onto the system by April 2026.

For goods with no compliance requirements, customs clearance will be granted immediately after online registration by the importer, subject to payment of duty. A Customs Integrated System will be rolled out over the next two years as a single, scalable platform for all customs operations.

To further speed up cargo movement, the Government will expand the use of non-intrusive scanning with advanced imaging and artificial intelligence, with the objective of scanning every container across all major ports in a phased manner.

The Budget also announced export-focused measures for the fisheries sector. Fish caught by Indian vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone or on the high seas will be made duty-free, and landing of such fish at foreign ports will be treated as exports or transshipment, enabling fishermen to realise greater value from marine resources beyond territorial waters.

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