New Delhi, Feb 25: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will host the National Symposium on Customs Reforms 2026 and celebrate International Customs Day 2026 in New Delhi today, with the theme “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.”
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary will preside over the International Customs Day celebrations. The event will also be attended by Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava, CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi, and senior officials from the Department of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance.
The International Customs Day programme will feature the screening of a short film on customs reforms, an audio-visual presentation, and the launch of Single Window SWIFT 2.0. CBIC will also release the SWIFT 2.0 booklet, a Digital Travellers Guide, and the revamped Atithi App during the event.
Stakeholder feedback from representatives of trade and industry will form part of the celebrations. The occasion will also include the distribution of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Certificate of Merit to 20 distinguished officers from various formations across the country in recognition of their service.
Prior to the celebrations, CBIC will organise the National Symposium on Customs Reforms 2026. The symposium will be presided over by Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava, alongside CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi.
The session will begin with remarks by the Member (Customs), CBIC, followed by a presentation from the Joint Secretary (Customs) outlining recent policy and procedural advancements. Discussions will focus on trust-based customs processes, digital governance, recent legal amendments, and import procedural reforms.
The symposium will also highlight the evolution of the digital customs ecosystem, including initiatives such as SWIFT 2.0 and the Customs Integrated System (CIS). Emerging export opportunities—such as courier reforms, fisheries enablement and export procedure reforms—will also be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on “ease of living” measures, particularly reforms relating to baggage rules and personal imports.
CBIC said the symposium underscores its commitment to simplifying procedures, enhancing transparency, strengthening digital infrastructure, and fostering a partnership-driven approach with trade and citizens.
Senior government officials, policymakers, industry representatives and customs officers from across the country are expected to participate in the deliberations, which aim to chart the future course of India’s customs administration.
