CBIC Pushes Customs Integrated System EoI Deadline to January 31

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has extended the deadline for submission of expressions of interest (EoIs) for appointing an implementation agency for its proposed Customs Integrated System (CIS).  

The move follows requests from prospective bidders seeking additional time to prepare and submit their proposals. 

Revised Timelines and Bidding Process 

According to the revised notification, the last date for purchasing EoI documents and submitting bids has now been pushed to January 31, 2026, from the earlier deadline of January 21. The opening of bids has been rescheduled to February 2, 2026. 

The selection process will follow a two-stage approach. In the first phase, up to eight bidders will be shortlisted based on their technical competence and experience. Eligible participants include single entities as well as consortiums of up to three members.  

The shortlisted bidders will then be invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals in the second stage, after which the final implementation partner will be selected. 

What the CIS Project Aims to Achieve 

The proposed Customs Integrated System is designed to bring together key existing platforms, The Indian Customs Electronic Gateway, Risk Management System, and Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System into a single, unified digital framework.  

At present, these systems operate on separate platforms, resulting in process inefficiencies, duplication, manual intervention and clearance delays. 

By integrating these platforms, the CIS aims to streamline customs operations, improve coordination, and enable end-to-end digital processing across import and export workflows. 

Implementation Timeline and Expected Impact 

The CIS is planned to go live from April 1, 2027. Once operational, it is expected to accelerate cargo clearances, enhance risk-based targeting mechanisms, and fully digitise assessment, refund, and dispute resolution processes. 

The project is seen as a critical step in modernising India’s customs infrastructure, improving ease of doing business, and strengthening border trade facilitation. 

Read More: PFRDA Launches NPS Swasthya Scheme to Help Cover Medical Expenses! 

Conclusion 

By extending the EoI deadline, CBIC aims to attract wider participation and ensure robust competition for selecting the CIS implementation partner, laying the groundwork for a technologically advanced and efficient customs clearance ecosystem. 

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