Circular refers to the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018, issued vide Notification No. 38/2018-Customs (N.T.) dated 11th May, 2018, as amended from time to time. The Board states it received representations from trade for smooth implementation of the SCMTR, 2018, and that the due date for complete rollout was earlier prescribed as 30.06.2026 vide Notification No. 31/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 30.03.2026. The DG Systems implemented the SCMTR message framework in four functional segments in a phased manner: Sea messages to Gateway Port (Arrival); Gateway port to foreign sea ports (Departure); Gateway port to Inland Customs locations (Import Transshipment); and Inland Customs locations to Gateway port (Export Transshipment).

Circular states that SCMTR messages relating to arrivals (SAM, SEI, SAA, SCE, VCN, and Vessel Profile) and departures (SDM, SDA, SCX, SDN) have been implemented successfully on a Pan-India basis. For Export Transshipment, the SF, ASR, and SFCN messages have been implemented nationwide, while the remaining DP, DT, AR, and AT messages were implemented Pan-India on 30.06.2026. Accordingly, all message developments except Import Transshipment (ITP) messages are stated to be fully operational with effect from 01.07.2026, with necessary advisories issued by the DG System.

Field formations and DG Systems are directed to take necessary steps to ensure filing of electronic messages by stakeholders, with weekly outreach sessions to be held by each Zone to identify difficulties, if any. The Board states it has decided to extend the transitional provisions under the SCMTR, 2018 up to 31st August, 2026, vide Notification No. 61/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 1st July, 2026, to encourage stakeholders — including Authorised Sea Carriers, Authorised Sea Agents, Authorised Carriers (Transshippers and other notified carriers), Terminal Operators, and Custodians — to file all prescribed messages (except ITP) electronically under the SCMTR, 2018 with effect from 01.07.2026. To facilitate trade, no penal action shall be initiated against stakeholders for technical or procedural difficulties in the online filing mechanism up to 31st August, 2026.