Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday released the fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) at the CBIC Conclave in Delhi on Friday. The study, a key barometer of customs efficiency, underscores India’s continued focus on improving trade facilitation by reducing cargo clearance times across ports.Background: What is TRS?
The Time Release Study (TRS) is a globally recognised performance measurement tool that assesses the average time taken for cargo release, offering data-backed insight into the effectiveness of customs procedures. Since 2019, India’s TRS has been conducted across 15 key locations, including seaports, Air Cargo Complexes (ACCs), Inland Container Depots (ICDs), and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).
A major strength of India’s TRS lies in its use of real-time data from the Customs Automated System, maintained by the Directorate General of Systems and Data Management, CBIC. Over the years, TRS has evolved from measuring clearance times at select ports to covering transit cargo, courier shipments, and commodity-specific flows, using increasingly granular, stage-wise analysis.The 2025 edition marks a significant step forward, expanding to three additional ports—Kochi Seaport, Garhi Harsaru ICD, and Jaigaon LCS—while introducing advanced methodologies for deeper diagnostic assessments.Top 5 highlights from NTRS 20251. Import clearance gets faster across most gatewaysThe report found a notable reduction in Average Release Time (ART) for import consignments between 2023 and 2025:
Seaports: Faster by nearly 6 hours
Air Cargo Complexes: Faster by 5 hours
Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Improved by 18 hours
Only ICDs recorded a delay, with clearance time rising by 12 hours, signalling the need for process reengineering at these facilities.2. ICPs outperform in meeting trade facilitation targetsAgainst the targets set under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0:
93.33% of cargo at ICPs met the 48-hour clearance benchmark
55.03% of shipments through air cargo were cleared within 24 hours
Seaports (51.76%) and ICDs (43.70%) lagged behind
This suggests that land borders are emerging as strong performers in India’s trade facilitation drive.3. Exports show mixed picture; logistics remains a dragThe study showed that regulatory clearance for exports was:
Fastest at Air Cargo Complexes (under 4 hours)
Followed by ICPs (06:10 hours)
However, post-clearance logistics remain a bottleneck:
Seaports: Post-LEO time stands at 157:50 hours
ICDs: Improved to 99:51 hours, but still high
This indicates that while customs processes are improving, logistics and port handling delays continue to affect overall turnaround time.4. “Path to Promptness” framework showing resultsThe report credits India’s improved performance to the implementation of the “Path to Promptness” framework, which includes:
Advance filing of documents
Risk Management System (RMS)-based facilitation
AEO accreditation
Direct Port Delivery (DPD)
These measures have helped streamline cargo clearance, although delays persist in areas such as duty payment, amendment resolution, and interventions by Partner Government Agencies (PGAs).5. Cargo characteristics matterThe study reaffirmed that the nature of cargo has a measurable impact on clearance times:
Refrigerated goods moved faster through air cargo
Factory-stuffed containers were cleared quicker than those stuffed at ICDs
Such insights are expected to guide policy adjustments and infrastructure improvements tailored to cargo type and handling methods.With its latest edition, NTRS 2025 not only strengthens India’s commitment to ease of doing business but also provides customs authorities and trade stakeholders with a detailed roadmap to fine-tune logistics, digitise operations, and reduce bottlenecks in international trade.
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