Mumbai Customs Holds Open House to Address Trade Concerns, Diamond Sector Issues

Mumbai | Maharashtra — In a decisive step toward strengthening trade facilitation and improving transparency, Mumbai Customs Zone–III held an impactful Open House Meeting on December 4, 2025, bringing together top customs officials, industry leaders, and trade representatives to address persistent operational concerns and chart out a more efficient customs ecosystem.

The meeting, chaired by Smt. Prachi Saroop, Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, created a platform for frank and solution-oriented dialogue between the customs administration and stakeholders from across the export-import ecosystem. Representatives from the GJEPC, Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), exporters, importers, and trade bodies participated actively.

Opening the forum, Saroop stressed the significance of direct engagement in enhancing trade confidence.

“Our commitment is to ensure a predictable, transparent, and facilitative Customs environment. The concerns raised by the trade today are valuable inputs for us, and we will work proactively to address them. Such interactions strengthen mutual trust and enhance the ease of doing business,” she said.

Key Issues Raised by Trade

Participants highlighted several recurring challenges—including documentation discrepancies, procedural delays, valuation conflicts, and clarity gaps in certain compliance requirements. Many appreciated the initiative of bringing stakeholders together, noting that such interactions reduce communication gaps and accelerate problem-solving.

A major area of focus was the recent volatility in global diamond prices, which has created difficulties for the industry in valuation, financial planning, and documentation. Representatives sought greater clarity and supportive solutions for smoother customs operations amid fluctuating prices affecting both imports and exports.

Customs Officials Respond with Reforms & Clarity

Senior officers, including Shri Santosh Mishra (Commissioner), Shri Roopesh Sukumaran (Additional Commissioner), and Shri Harsh Singh (Joint Commissioner), engaged in detailed discussions with trade members. They elaborated on the department’s ongoing digital initiatives, workflow streamlining, and reforms designed to reduce turnaround time at PCCCC.

Officials assured the trade that all concerns—especially those related to valuation protocols, documentation requirements, and system bottlenecks—would be reviewed with priority.

Industry Welcomes Openness and Progress

Several prominent leaders from the diamond and gem industry attended the Open House, reflecting its significance for the high-value export community.

Anoop Mehta, President of BDB, praised the Customs Zone–III leadership and acknowledged visible improvements. “Under the leadership of Smt. Prachi Saroop ji, tremendous progress has been seen in Customs functioning at PCCCC. We value the openness and support extended by the department.”

Mehul Shah, Vice President, BDB, emphasized the need for continued engagement.

“We thank the Principal Chief Commissioner and the Customs team for conducting this important interaction with the trade. We request that such meetings be held regularly to ensure continuous improvement and smoother trade facilitation,” Shah said.