The Express Industry Council of India (EICI) and The Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), jointly launched the White Paper, titled ‘The Future of Express Cargo Clearance in India – ECCS in the New Customs Integrated System’, underlining the need to ensure the smooth integration of processes and preserve the strengths of the existing Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) as it is proposed to be integrated into the forthcoming Customs Integrated System (CIS). Vijay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, EICI said, “Express cargo industry is a vital part to the logistics ecosystem, powering e-commerce and supporting India’s ease-of-doing-business and global trade integration goals. With the upcoming CIS poised to elevate India’s standing in global logistics and trade facilitation, this White Paper marks an important step in our continued engagement with policymakers. It outlines the express industry’s unique clearance requirements and calls for a seamless integration of ECCS into the CIS. We had a successful collaboration with CBIC in developing the ECCS, and this White Paper sets the course for the next vital phase of partnership—aligned with the government’s forward-looking approach to policy-making involving stakeholders. As India charts its course toward becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat mission, the express cargo industry will play a pivotal role in driving trade and fuelling MSME growth.” The White Paper aims to apprise the regulatory authorities, especially the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), about the critical features of the currently operational ECCS and the express industry’s expectations from the new CIS. It was formally submitted to the CBIC at a consultation held in New Delhi, which was also attended by Yogendra Garg, Member (IT & Taxpayer Services), CBIC, officials from DG Systems, and senior representatives from the express and logistics industry.