Mumbai Customs Zone–III successfully conducted an Open House Meeting on 4th December 2025, chaired by Prachi Saroop, Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, to deliberate on various operational and policy-related issues concerning customs functioning at PCCCC. The meeting saw active participation from trade members, industry representatives, exporters/importers, GJEPC and senior customs officials, fostering a transparent and collaborative environment.

The primary objective of the session was to engage directly with the trade community, address their queries and grievances, and gather constructive suggestions aimed at improving the efficiency of customs procedures. The trade appreciated the initiative and highlighted several concerns related to documentation, clearance procedures, and procedural delays. These issues were acknowledged and addressed by the senior officers present.

A major point of discussion pertained to the volatility in diamond prices, which has impacted compliance requirements, valuation processes, and financial planning for the industry. The trade requested for enhanced clarity and supportive measures to navigate these fluctuations during import and export operations.

Senior officers, including Santosh Mishra – Commissioner of Customs, Roopesh Sukumaran – Addl. Commissioner of Customs, and Harsh Singh – Joint Commissioner of Customs, actively interacted with the trade, offering clarifications and sharing insights on ongoing reforms, including digital initiatives and measures to streamline workflow at PCCCC.

Prachi Saroop, Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, stated, “Our commitment is to ensure a predictable, transparent, and facilitative Customs environment. The concerns raised by the trade today are valuable inputs for us, and we will work proactively to address them. Such interactions strengthen mutual trust and enhance the ease of doing business.”

The meeting was attended by leading trade representatives including Anoop Mehta – President, Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), Kirit Bhansali – Chairman, GJEPC, Mehul Shah – Vice President, BDB, and Shaunak Parikh – Vice Chairman, along with several senior trade members.

Anoop Mehta appreciated Customs authorities, noting, “Under the leadership of Prachi Saroop, tremendous progress has been seen in Customs functioning at PCCCC. We value the openness and support extended by the department.”

Mehul Shah expressed gratitude and said,
“We thank the Principal Chief Commissioner and the Customs team for conducting this important interaction with the trade. We request that such meetings be held regularly to ensure continuous improvement and smoother trade facilitation.”

Courtesy : AOJ Desk News