**Executive Summary**
Circular No. 24/2025-Customs, dated 7th October 2025, issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, introduces auto-approval for incentive bank account and IFSC code registration requests across customs locations. This aims to streamline the approval process for Importer Exporter Codes (IECs) already approved at one customs location. The existing workflow remains unchanged, with approvals granted directly by the system.
**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.
* This auto-approval applies only if the combination has already been approved at one customs location.
* **Workflow and Process:**
* The existing workflow for submission of requests remains unchanged.
* System-approved requests will not be routed to the Port officer for manual approval.
* After system approval, requests will continue to flow to PFMS for validation, as per the existing process.
* **Reference Instruction**
* Refers 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.
* **Objective**
* The circular aims to improve the efficiency of customs procedures and enhance the Customs experience for the trade.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: 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:** Streamlines AD Code/bank account registration, especially for applications before 2 PM. Facilitates IGST refund/drawback purposes via the ICEGATE portal.
* **Action Required:** Implement the auto-approval process within their respective jurisdictions and ensure that the existing workflow is maintained for the submission of requests. Also, they must bring difficulties or issues to the notice of the Board for necessary redressal.
**Stakeholder: Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holders**
* **Impact:** Benefit from faster approval times for registration of incentive bank accounts and IFSC codes across different customs locations, provided the combination is already approved at one location.
* **Action Required:** Continue submitting requests through the existing workflow, but anticipate quicker approvals in eligible cases.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC): The governing body overseeing customs and indirect taxes in India, responsible for formulating policies and ensuring their implementation.
Auto-approval of Incentive Bank Account and IFSC Code Registration: The policy initiative for automatic approval of requests for registering incentive bank accounts and IFSC codes for exporters across customs locations, streamlining the process.
ICEGATE: The national portal providing e-filing services to trade and transport stakeholders of Customs and Central Excise.
PFMS (Public Financial Management System): A system used for validating requests related to approvals granted.
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