**Executive Summary**
Circular No. 24/2025-Customs, dated 7th October 2025, announces the auto-approval of requests for registration of incentive bank accounts and IFSC codes across all customs locations. This aims to streamline the process based on instruction No 25/2023-Customs dated 28.07.2023. The new system automatically approves requests for Importer Exporter Codes (IEC).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Auto-Approval Implementation:**
* The system will automatically approve requests for registration of the same incentive bank account and IFSC code for an IEC at different customs locations.
* Auto-approval is contingent on the same combination already being approved at one customs location.
* **Workflow:**
* The existing workflow for submission of requests remains unchanged.
* Approved requests will still flow to PFMS (Public Financial Management System) for validation.
* **Manual Approval:**
* Approval will be granted directly by the system and such requests will not be routed to the Port officer for manual approval.
* **Timelines (Reference):**
* Instruction No. 25/2023-Customs dated 28.07.2023 stipulates documentary requirements and timelines for approval of AD Code and IFSC registration.
* Applications made before 2 PM should be dealt with on the same day, otherwise, they should be disposed of before 2 PM on the next working day.
* **Reporting Issues:**
* Any difficulties or issues can be reported to the Board for necessary redressal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/ Customs & Central tax, All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/ Customs & Central tax, All Principal Director Generals/Director Generals under CBIC.**
**Impact**
* Required to implement and oversee the new auto-approval system.
* Process for registration of the same incentive bank account and IFSC code for an IEC at different customs locations will now be automated.
**Action Required**
* Ensure the auto-approval system is implemented and functioning correctly.
* Monitor for any issues or difficulties and report them to the Board.
**Stakeholder: Exporters/Importers with IEC**
**Impact**
* Faster approval process for incentive bank account and IFSC code registration.
* Improved efficiency and customs experience.
**Action Required**
* Continue submitting requests as per the existing workflow.
* Raise any difficulties or issues faced to the Board for necessary redressal.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC): The primary regulator for customs and indirect taxes in India, responsible for issuing this circular.
Auto-approval of Incentive Bank Account and IFSC Code Registration: The initiative to automate the approval process for registering incentive bank accounts and IFSC codes across customs locations.
ICEGATE portal: The electronic gateway for trade-related transactions, which is used for registering incentive bank accounts for IGST refund/drawback.
Instruction No 25/2023-Customs: A previous instruction that stipulated requirements for AD code and IFSC registration.
Circular No 24/2025-Customs
F.No.450/145/2023-Cus IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs)
Room No. 229-A, North Block,
New Delhi, 7" October, 2025
To,
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/
Customs & Central tax,
All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/ Customs &
Central tax,
All Principal Director Generals/Director Generals under CBIC.
Subject : Auto-approval of Incentive Bank Account and IFSC Code Registration requests
across all customs locations - reg.
Madam/Sir,
Reference is invited to instruction No 25/2023-Customs dated 28.07.2023 which
stipulates list of documentary requirement and timeline for approval of AD code and IFSC
registration for incentive bank account at the port. It is stated that, with respect to bank account
registration for IGST refund /drawback purpose option is available in ICEGATE portal for
applying registration of incentive bank account for every port, where exporter intends to transact.
Vide the said instruction it directed to put in place a suitable mechanism the application for AD
Code/bank account registration dealt on same day when made before 2 PM. In other cases, the
application should be disposed before 2PM on next working day.
2. The Board has examined the IFSC code approval requests at different ports in
consultation with the Directorate General of Systems. In order to further streamline the process,
it has been decided that the system will automatically approve requests for registration of the
same incentive bank account and IFSC code for an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) at different
customs locations, provided that the same combination has already been approved at any one
customs location.
3 The existing workflow of submission of requests shall remain unchanged. However, in
the above-mentioned cases, the approval will be granted directly by the system, and such
requests will not be routed tot he Port officer for manual approval. Once approved by the system,
the request will continue to flow to PFMS (Public Financial Management System) for validation,
as per the existing process.4. This initiative is expected to further improve the efficiency of customs procedures and
better Customs experience for the trade.
5 Any difficulties or issues faced in this regard may be brought to the notice of the Board
for necessary redressal.
Hindi version follows.
Yours faithfully,
(Shaikh Salman)
OSD, Cus-IV
Customs Policy Wing