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CBIC to push MSMEs into EMI scheme as enrolments stay under 1,000

With fewer than 1,000 firms signed up since April, the CBIC will launch outreach and cut paperwork to boost participation in the EMI customs‑duty deferment scheme.

By SamacharDaily Editorial Team • • 1 min read

A senior CBIC official said on Wednesday that fewer than 1,000 businesses have enrolled in the Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) scheme since its April 1 launch, prompting the board to start outreach programmes and "handhold" MSMEs to encourage uptake.

The EMI scheme, introduced in the 2026‑27 Union Budget, allows trusted manufacturers to clear imported goods without paying Customs duty up front, deferring payment under a new facilitation measure for eligible importers.

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Effective September 15, the CBIC will "substantially reduce" the data and documentation requirements for enrolment, a move the official said is intended to make the scheme more acceptable after it failed to take off as envisaged.

Why This Matters

The EMI scheme can ease cash‑flow pressures for small and medium manufacturers by postponing customs duty payments, potentially lowering working‑capital costs and enhancing competitiveness. Low participation signals implementation gaps, so the CBIC’s outreach and simplified paperwork aim to unlock the policy’s intended benefits for the broader manufacturing sector.

Reporting based on verified dispatches from Business Standard. View primary release ↗
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