Customs Relief Call: Nasscom Pushes for One-Time Amnesty for Software Exporters

The appeal comes after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to overhaul India’s customs system. Nasscom highlighted that software exporters often face scrutiny over related-party imports and compliance with customs norms, which can be complex given cross-border operations. A one-time amnesty, Nasscom says, would help companies resolve legacy issues, reduce litigation, and align with broader reforms aimed at simplifying India’s trade ecosystem.  

Notable updates  
• Nasscom seeks a one-time customs amnesty window for software exporters  
• Industry body flagged challenges with related-party import transactions and compliance probes  
• Customs currently lacks an amnesty framework unlike income tax, GST, or DGFT schemes  
• Proposal aligns with Finance Minister’s announcement of customs reforms as the next major agenda  
• Nasscom argues amnesty would reduce litigation and ease compliance burdens for IT firms  

Major takeaway  
Nasscom’s push underscores the need for balanced reforms in India’s customs regime, ensuring software exporters can operate with clarity and confidence while supporting the government’s ease-of-doing-business agenda.  

Sources: Economic Times, Moneycontrol, Nasscom Community