Government of India

Jurisdiction & Role

The Custom House, Cochin, is a premier field formation of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It exercises customs jurisdiction over Cochin Port, Cochin International Airport (CIAL), the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadom, Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) area.

Custom House plays a vital role in national revenue collection, international trade compliance, prevention of contraband smuggling, export promotion, and the clearance of passengers arriving at and departing from international terminals.

Core Pillars of Operation

• Trade Facilitation: Implementation of the Indian Customs EDI System (ICES 1.5), Risk Management System (RMS), Faceless Assessment Groups (FAG), and Turant Seva Kendra (TSK) to ensure rapid cargo clearance.
• Enforcement & Vigilance: Vigilant maritime, airport, and container surveillance through the Preventive Department, Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Special Investigation Branch (SIIB), and K9 detector dog squad.
• Specialized Facilities: Operating a full-fledged Customs Chemical Laboratory for testing classified imports/exports and a Postal Appraising Department (PAD) handling international mail and e-commerce.

Our Mission

Our mission is to achieve excellence in the formulation and implementation of Customs initiatives aimed at:

• Realising revenues in a fair, equitable and efficient manner.
• Administering the Government's economic, tariff, and trade policies with a practical and pragmatic approach.
• Facilitating trade and industry by streamlining and simplifying Customs processes and helping Indian business enhance its competitiveness.
• Creating a climate for voluntary compliance by providing guidance and building mutual trust.
• Combating revenue evasion, commercial frauds, and social menace in an effective manner.

Our Commitment

We shall carry out our tasks with highest standards of integrity, transparency, and service quality:

• Integrity and Judiciousness: Upholding honest and unbiased statutory implementation.
• Courtesy and Understanding: Providing considerate, professional assistance to all trade partners and passengers.
• Objectivity and Transparency: Ensuring clear procedures and public access to rules and regulations.
• Promptness and Efficiency: Striving for time-bound resolution of clearances and taxpayer grievances.

Our Strategy

To achieve our mission, we focus on:

• Enhancing the use of Information Technology and end-to-end digital clearances.
• Streamlining Customs procedures through continuous stakeholder consultation.
• Encouraging voluntary compliance through trade outreach and AEO certification.
• Evolving cooperative initiatives with port authorities, trade bodies, and enforcement agencies.
• Assisting in the formulation of practical tariff policies and trade facilitation frameworks.
• Combating revenue evasion and illicit trafficking with modern risk-based screening.
• Measuring conformance to service delivery standards and fostering organizational professionalism.

Over 150 Years of Maritime Customs Heritage

The Customs work in Cochin Port has been in existence for over one and a half centuries. Before 1947, the centre of customs activity was at Fort Cochin, formerly known as British Cochin. With the gradual development of Cochin Port into an all-weather harbour, Willingdon Island—an artificial island constructed by Lord Willingdon—became the hub of commercial maritime activity.

In 1956, the Custom House was officially shifted from Fort Cochin to its own dedicated building constructed at Willingdon Island. Initially under the administrative control of the Collector of Central Excise, Madras, the formation soon commenced functioning as an independent, full-fledged Custom House headed by a separate Collector of Customs.

Key Milestones & Modernization

• 1960: Central Excise formations across the State of Kerala were placed under the jurisdiction of the Collector of Customs, redesignated as Collector of Customs and Central Excise, Cochin.
• 1983: Functional segregation of Customs and Central Excise took effect, creating separate Collectorates with designated jurisdictions.
• 1989: The jurisdictional area was redefined to cover Cochin Port, Cochin International Airport, the Cochin Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) area.
• 1998–1999: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Indian Customs EDI System (ICES) were introduced, transforming export processing on 31.12.1998 and import processing on 08.02.1999. Today, over 99% of documents are processed via ICES 1.5.
• 1999: Dedication of Cochin International Airport (CIAL) by His Excellency, the President of India, inaugurating modern Air Customs and Air Cargo Complex (ACC) operations.
• 2007: Introduction of the Risk Management System (RMS), balancing swift trade facilitation for accredited clients with selective screening of high-risk cargo.
• 2011: The International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadom was dedicated to the nation by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 11.02.2011, establishing Cochin as a transhipment hub and regular port of call for international luxury cruise vessels.

Appraising & Assessment Wing

The Appraising Wing handles the assessment and examination of all commercial import and export consignments. Working in coordination with National Faceless Assessment Groups (FAG) and Turant Seva Kendra (TSK), officers expedite bill of entry assessments, post-clearance audits, duty drawbacks, and export incentives with precision and speed.

Preventive & Anti-Smuggling Department

The Preventive Department spearheads border security and anti-smuggling vigilance. Operating across Cochin Port docks, CIAL airport international terminals, container freight stations, and coastal waters, preventive officers conduct rummaging, surveillance, and baggage examination, supported by the specialized K9 detector squad.

Special Investigation & Intelligence Branch (SIIB) & CIU

The Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch (SIIB) detects commercial frauds, undervaluation, misdeclaration, and violations of allied trade acts. Together with the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and Risk Management System (RMS), it ensures robust deterrence against economic offences.

Customs Chemical Laboratory & Postal Appraising

The full-fledged in-house Customs Laboratory conducts rigorous chemical analysis of imported chemicals, oils, ores, and manufactured items for classification and duty assessment. The Postal Appraising Department (PAD) functions in close liaison with postal authorities to appraise and clear international parcels, air mail, and e-commerce shipments.

Customs Clearance for International Passengers

Passengers arriving at Cochin International Airport or Cochin Cruise Terminal must declare dutiable goods, foreign currency beyond statutory limits, gold, and restricted items. Customs clearance is structured into Green Channel (nothing to declare) and Red Channel (goods to declare).

• General Duty-Free Allowance: Indian residents and foreigners residing in India arriving from countries other than Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar are eligible for duty-free allowance on used personal effects and travel souvenirs up to ₹50,000 (adults) or ₹15,000 (infants/minors).
• Gold Jewellery Allowance: An Indian passenger who has resided abroad for over one year is eligible to bring duty-free gold jewellery up to 20 grams (value ceiling ₹50,000) for gentleman passengers, and up to 40 grams (value ceiling ₹1,00,000) for lady passengers.
• Currency Limits: Currency declaration is mandatory if foreign currency notes exceed US $5,000 (or equivalent) or if total foreign exchange (cash + travellers cheques) exceeds US $10,000.
• Prohibited & Restricted Cargo: Narcotic substances, psychotropic drugs, wildlife items, counterfeit currency, satellite phones, and unapproved drones are strictly prohibited/restricted under Customs Act 1962 and allied laws.