FM Releases 5th National Time Release Study, Highlights Faster Cargo Clearance

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, today unveiled the fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) during the CBIC Conclave 2025 held in New Delhi. This latest edition of the NTRS is a significant step forward in India’s ongoing efforts to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen the country’s logistics ecosystem through data-driven decision-making and policy development.

What is the Time Release Study (TRS)?

The Time Release Study (TRS) serves as a globally recognized performance measurement tool that quantitatively assesses the average time taken for cargo release, thereby evaluating the efficiency of India’s Customs clearance process. Since its inception in 2019, the TRS has been conducted at 15 key locations across the country, encompassing seaports, Air Cargo Complexes (ACCs), Inland Container Depots (ICDs), and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).

One of the major strengths of the Indian TRS is its data accuracy, drawn directly from the Customs Automated System operated by the Directorate General of Systems and Data Management, CBIC, ensuring integrity and transparency.

Evolution and Expansion of TRS

Over the years, the scope of TRS has expanded beyond traditional cargo evaluation. From its initial focus on gateway ports, the study now includes:

• Transit cargo

• Courier shipments

• Commodity-specific timelines

• Stage-wise and process-level analysis

In this fifth edition, the geographical footprint of TRS has broadened to include Kochi Seaport, Garhi Harsaru ICD, and Jaigaon Land Customs Station (LCS) — marking a major leap in comprehensive coverage.

Key Findings in Import Segment

A major highlight of the 2025 TRS is the overall reduction in Average Release Time (ART) for import cargo between 2023 and 2025 across most port categories:

• Seaports: ART reduced by ~6 hours

• Air Cargo Complexes (ACCs): Reduced by ~5 hours

• Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Reduced by ~18 hours

• ICDs: An exception, with a 12-hour increase in ART

In terms of achieving National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0 targets:

• ICPs performed the best, with 93.33% of cargo cleared within 48 hours

• ACCs: 55.03% cleared within the 24-hour benchmark

• Seaports: 51.76% within 48 hours

• ICDs: Only 43.70% met the target

Enablers and Bottlenecks

India’s “Path to Promptness” framework has been pivotal in improving clearance times. Key features include:

• Advance filing of documents

• Risk Management System (RMS)–based facilitation

• Accreditation under the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program

• Direct Port Delivery (DPD) mechanism

Despite these advancements, certain procedural delays persist, primarily due to:

• Duty payment lag

• Query/amendment resolution

• Post-clearance logistics inefficiencies

• PGA (Partner Government Agency) interventions

Export Cargo Performance

Export logistics were assessed in two phases: regulatory clearance (arrival to Let Export Order) and post-LEO logistics (final movement to departure).

• Air Cargo Complexes: Fastest regulatory clearance — under 4 hours

• ICPs: Second-fastest — approx. 6 hours 10 minutes

• Seaports: Regulatory clearance took 29 hours 36 minutes, while post-LEO logistics stretched to a staggering 157 hours 50 minutes

• ICDs: Regulatory phase at 30 hours, but post-LEO logistics improved to 99 hours 51 minutes

Facilitation Levels and Cargo Characteristics

Facilitation levels at all port categories remained robust, ranging between 87% and 93%, indicating a highly streamlined Customs environment.

The TRS also observed that the type of cargo significantly impacted clearance timelines:

• Refrigerated (perishable) goods cleared faster, especially at air cargo complexes

• Factory-stuffed cargo consistently moved quicker than ICD-stuffed cargo, owing to simplified verification requirements and reduced handling

Strategic Implications

The fifth edition of the NTRS not only reflects India's growing efficiency in cargo management but also underlines the need for continuous improvement in digital infrastructure, inter-agency coordination, and post-clearance logistics.

Smt. Sitharaman, during the release, reiterated the government's commitment to making India a global hub for efficient trade, echoing the broader goals of PM Gati Shakti and Make in India initiatives.