“The vision is to position Mumbai as a globally benchmarked, technology-driven cargo gateway:” Sumit Kumar

Air cargo plays a critical role in integrating India into global value chains, with Mumbai remaining one of the country’s most important gateways, handling a substantial share of high-value imports and exports. Sumit Kumar IRS, Pr. Additional Director General, Directorate General of Taxpayer Services, Mumbai Zonal Unit, India, in an interview with Swaliha Shanavas, highlights the role and contribution of Customs in driving policy evolution and modernization through various reforms and initiatives that are central to positioning India as a globally competitive air cargo hub. 

What role does air cargo play in strengthening India’s position in the global value chain? And what is the role of Customs in shaping policies overall to position India as a global cargo hub?  

Air cargo plays a critical role in integrating India into global value chains, particularly for high-value, time-sensitive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, perishables, and ecommerce. It enables just-in-time manufacturing, faster market access, and reliability in global trade flows. Customs, as the primary regulatory interface at the border, has a dual responsibility – facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding national interests.  

Over the years, Customs has contributed significantly to policy evolution through simplification of procedures, adoption of risk-based assessment systems, promotion of paperless and faceless clearances, and alignment with global best practices under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. 

These efforts are central to positioning India as a globally competitive cargo hub.  

How is Mumbai, one of India’s busiest cargo gateways, aligning its vision with India’s goal of becoming a global logistics hub? What reforms and trade facilitation policies have been introduced and implemented at its air cargo center to improve processes? 

Mumbai continues to be one of India’s most significant air cargo gateways, handling a large share of high-value imports and exports.  

To align with India’s vision, Mumbai Customs has focused on end-to-end digitisation of cargo processes; implementation of Turant Customs; strengthening faceless assessment and RMS-based clearances; and close coordination with custodians, airlines, and trade stakeholders. 

These reforms have led to noticeable reduction in dwell time, especially for compliant consignments; faster document processing and reduced physical interface; greater transparency and predictability. 

Mumbai has also consistently demonstrated strong enforcement outcomes, including significant seizures of gold, narcotics, and other contraband, reflecting a balanced approach between facilitation and enforcement.  

What has been the effect of recent initiatives such as faceless assessment under Turant Customs, and paperless processing on air cargo efficiency at major gateways like Mumbai?  

Initiatives such as faceless assessment and paperless processing have been transformative.  

They have eliminated physical interface, reducing delays and discretion; enabled assessments to be conducted anytime and from anywhere; standardised decision-making across locations; and improved accountability through digital audit trails. 

At Mumbai, these reforms have contributed to faster clearance timelines, improved ease of doing business, and enhanced confidence among trade stakeholders.  

How do you ensure that overall policies support trade facilitation and enforcement? What are the key challenges faced and what steps are being taken to address these issues?  

Balancing facilitation with effective enforcement remains central to Customs operations. This balance is maintained through Risk Management Systems (RMS) that focus on high-risk consignments, intelligence-led interventions rather than routine examination, and post-clearance audits.  

A key challenge lies in managing growing cargo volumes while addressing evolving compliance risks. This is being addressed through greater use of data analytics and profiling tools, continuous capacity building for officers, and refining risk parameters. 

Mumbai Customs has demonstrated this balance through robust enforcement actions alongside improved facilitation metrics. 

What role do data analytics and AI play in reshaping risk management and speeding up clearance processes while ensuring compliance and transparency are maintained?

Data analytics and AI are increasingly integral to Customs operations. They enable risk profiling of consignments and importers; detection of anomalies and unusual trade patterns; and targeted examination of high-risk cargo. 

This ensures that low-risk consignments are cleared quickly, while enforcement efforts are focused where they are most needed. The result is a system that is both efficient and transparent.  

How is Customs collaborating with airlines, airports, freight forwarders and other stakeholders to achieve a seamless cargo ecosystem? And what areas still need improvement?  

Customs works in close coordination with airlines and cargo operators; freight forwarders and customs brokers; airport operators and custodians; and other regulatory agencies.  

At Mumbai, regular stakeholder meetings, trade facilitation consultations, and real-time issue resolution mechanisms have been institutionalised.  

A notable initiative is the rollout of the ATITHI platform, which promotes digital, pre-arrival declarations and reflects the broader push toward seamless, technology-driven facilitation.  

Areas for improvement include greater integration of IT systems across stakeholders; infrastructure augmentation in line with increasing cargo volumes; and streamlining processes for emerging sectors such as e-commerce. 

Considering the differences in infrastructure and processes across Indian airports, what measures are being adopted to standardize procedures and ensure uniform trade facilitation nationwide?  

Uniformity is being achieved through faceless assessment, which ensures location-neutral decision-making; standardised procedures and digital platforms; centralised risk management systems; and continuous training and capacity building through National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN). 

These measures ensure that trade experiences are consistent and predictable across different airports.  

What is your vision, and what initiatives and innovations will Mumbai Customs focus on over the next 5–6 years in areas such as regulations, capacity building, etc., to further strengthen air cargo facilitation and its role as India’s leading cargo gateway? 

The vision is to position Mumbai as a globally benchmarked, technology-driven cargo gateway.  

Key focus areas include the deployment of advanced data-driven and AI-enabled risk management systems; further reduction in dwell time; enhanced digital integration across stakeholders; continuous capacity building of officers; and strengthening infrastructure in coordination with airport operators. 

Mumbai Customs will continue to focus on both facilitation and enforcement excellence, ensuring its leadership position in India’s cargo ecosystem.  

Any message to the stakeholders involved in the value chain?  

Customs views itself as a partner in trade, committed to facilitating legitimate business while ensuring compliance.  

Stakeholders are encouraged to adopt digital platforms and processes, ensure accurate and timely declarations, and engage proactively with Customs. 

A collaborative approach will be key to achieving the shared goal of making India a leading global trade and logistics hub.