CBIC Notifies Panoli (Bharuch) as Customs Point for Unloading Imports and Loading Exports [Read Notification]

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has notified Panoli in Gujarat’s Bharuch district as a customs location for handling import and export cargo.

The notification was issued on April 6, 2026, under Section 7 of the Customs Act, 1962, allowing the unloading of imported goods and loading of export goods at Panoli. This means businesses in and around the industrial area can now carry out customs-cleared cargo operations locally, instead of relying on distant ports or notified stations.

CBIC under the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for administering customs, GST, and other indirect taxes in India and regularly issues such notifications to improve ease of doing business and streamline logistics.

Industrial significance of Panoli

Panoli is one of Gujarat’s well-known industrial hubs, located near Ankleshwar and part of the larger Bharuch industrial belt. The area houses a large number of chemical, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing units, many of which depend heavily on imports of raw materials and exports of finished goods.

Until now, companies in Panoli often had to route cargo through nearby ports or inland container depots, adding time and logistics costs. The new notification is expected to reduce transportation delays, cut costs, and improve supply chain efficiency for local industries.

Part of broader customs reforms

India’s customs framework, governed by the Customs Act, 1962, allows the government to notify specific places for import and export operations. Over the years, CBIC has expanded such facilities across industrial clusters to support trade growth and align with the government’s “ease of doing business” push.

Recent years have seen multiple procedural reforms, including digital customs clearance systems, simplified documentation and faster cargo processing. The addition of Panoli fits into this larger strategy of decentralising customs operations and bringing them closer to manufacturing centres.

Impact on trade

The move will benefit exporters and importers in Bharuch and nearby regions by enabling quicker turnaround of goods and reducing dependence on congested ports.

Gujarat is already a major contributor to India’s exports especially in chemicals and petrochemicals. With this notification, the region’s position will be strengthened as a key industrial and export hub.

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