SCMTR Goes Pan-India: CBIC Extends Transitional Relief Until 31 August 2026

India’s sea cargo reporting framework is entering a new phase.

CBIC has announced the Pan-India implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018 through Circular No. 29/2026-Customs dated 1 July 2026. The circular confirms that key SCMTR message flows for sea cargo arrival and departure have already been implemented nationwide, while import transhipment-related developments are still being completed.

At the same time, CBIC has extended the transitional provisions under SCMTR until 31 August 2026, giving stakeholders additional time to stabilise electronic filing processes and address system or procedural challenges.

This update is important for shipping lines, authorised sea carriers, shipping agents, terminal operators, custodians, transhippers, customs brokers, importers, exporters, and other participants involved in sea cargo movement.

What Is SCMTR?

The Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018 were introduced to create a more structured, electronic, and standardised framework for reporting sea cargo movement to Customs.

Under SCMTR, stakeholders must submit prescribed electronic messages at different stages of cargo movement. These messages help Customs receive shipment, vessel, arrival, departure, and transhipment information in a standard format.

The broader objective is to improve cargo visibility, strengthen compliance, reduce manual intervention, and enable faster Customs processing through digital message exchange.

What Has Been Implemented Pan-India?

The Directorate General of Systems has implemented SCMTR in phases across four functional segments:

• Sea cargo movement to gateway ports on arrival

• Cargo movement from gateway ports to foreign sea ports on departure

• Cargo movement from gateway ports to Inland Customs locations for import transhipment

• Cargo movement from Inland Customs locations to gateway ports for export transhipment

According to the circular, several arrival and departure message flows are already operational nationwide.

For arrivals, the implemented messages include:

• SAM

• SEI

• SAA

• SCE

• VCN

• Vessel Profile

For departures, the implemented messages include:

• SDM

• SDA

• SCX

• SDN

The circular also states that export transhipment-related messages such as SF, ASR and SFCN have been implemented nationwide. Remaining messages relating to DP, DT, AR and AT were implemented Pan-India from 30 June 2026.

What Is Still Pending?

The only major segment still under development is the message framework for Import Transhipment (ITP).

This means stakeholders handling import cargo that moves from a gateway port to an Inland Customs location should closely watch further CBIC and DG Systems advisories on ITP message filing and system readiness.

Although most SCMTR message flows are now operational, businesses should not assume that every transhipment workflow has reached the same implementation stage. Import transhipment remains an area where further system developments and operational instructions may follow.

Transitional Relief Extended Until 31 August 2026

To support a smoother shift to the online SCMTR filing mechanism, CBIC has extended the transitional provisions until 31 August 2026.

This extension applies to stakeholders such as:

• Authorised Sea Carriers, including shipping lines

• Authorised Sea Agents and shipping agents

• Authorised carriers and transhippers

• Terminal operators

• Custodians

• Other parties required to file prescribed SCMTR messages electronically

The purpose of the extension is to help stakeholders complete the move to electronic filing, resolve operational gaps, and align internal processes with the SCMTR framework.

This is especially relevant for organisations that are still upgrading systems, training teams, validating message formats, or resolving integration issues with Customs systems.

No Penal Action for Technical or Procedural Difficulties Until 31 August 2026

CBIC has also clarified that no penal action will be initiated against stakeholders for technical or procedural difficulties faced in the online filing mechanism under SCMTR up to 31 August 2026.

However, this should not be treated as a reason to delay implementation.

The relaxation is intended to support genuine transition-related difficulties. Stakeholders should continue working towards timely and accurate electronic filing, maintain internal records of technical issues, and act on any system advisories issued by DG Systems or jurisdictional Customs authorities.

What Should Shipping Lines and Shipping Agents Do Now?

Shipping lines and their agents should review whether their current systems can generate and submit SCMTR messages correctly.

They should focus on:

• Validating arrival and departure message formats

• Reviewing vessel profile and voyage-related data

• Ensuring accurate cargo details before filing

• Checking message acknowledgements and rejection responses

• Coordinating with software providers for integration-related issues

• Training operations and documentation teams on SCMTR processes

• Maintaining records of technical errors or filing difficulties during the transition period

Incorrect or incomplete data can create delays in vessel processing, cargo clearance, transhipment movement, or departure formalities. Teams should therefore treat SCMTR data as a critical compliance requirement, not only as a system submission.

What Should Terminal Operators and Custodians Review?

Terminal operators and custodians also play an important role in the SCMTR ecosystem.

They should review their readiness for electronic communication, cargo movement reporting, and coordination with shipping lines, agents, Customs brokers, and Customs authorities.

Key areas to review include:

• Availability of correct cargo and vessel information

• Internal controls for message submission

• Coordination with authorised carriers and agents

• System access and user permissions

• Exception handling for rejected or incomplete messages

• Escalation procedures for technical issues

A connected process between carriers, agents, terminals, and Customs-facing teams will help reduce last-minute message corrections and operational disruption.

Why This Circular Matters

The Pan-India rollout of SCMTR is a major step towards a more digital sea cargo compliance environment.

For the trade, this means Customs reporting will increasingly depend on timely, structured, and accurate electronic data. Manual follow-ups, fragmented documentation, and delayed updates may create avoidable challenges as the framework becomes more established.

The extended transition period gives stakeholders time to prepare, but it also signals that electronic SCMTR compliance is becoming the standard way of working.

Key Takeaway

CBIC has moved SCMTR implementation further towards full nationwide adoption.

Most sea cargo arrival, departure, and export transhipment message flows are now operational across India. Import transhipment message development remains underway. Transitional provisions and protection from penal action for technical or procedural difficulties have been extended until 31 August 2026.

Stakeholders should use this period to strengthen system readiness, train operational teams, improve data quality, and ensure that SCMTR filing becomes part of their regular sea cargo workflow.