The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has unveiled a new licensing framework for customs clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents, as a significant step toward improving service for importers and exporters.
The Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent Licensing Regulations, 2026 came into effect through a gazette notification issued on 8 January. The regulations have been formulated in line with the Customs Act, 2023, replacing the Customs Agent Licensing Regulations, 2020.
For the first time, the C&F business will operate under its own dedicated regulatory framework. Previously, licences for clearing and forwarding were issued under the broader 2020 regulations, with no separate set of guidelines for the sector.
NBR officials say the shift to an independent rulebook is aimed at updating procedures, ensuring better compliance, and responding to the evolving dynamics of international trade and customs operations.
One of the major changes in the new rules is the removal of the requirement for prior NBR approval to determine how many licences may be issued for a particular customs station.
Under the fresh rules, any candidate who qualifies through the prescribed examination will be eligible to obtain a C&F agent licence, which will broaden participation, promote competition, and enhance service delivery in the sector.
The regulations also introduce a fixed licensing calendar. Examinations will be held regularly, and the full licensing process will be concluded within a predetermined window each year. This structured approach is expected to reduce delays, lower administrative hassles, and ensure a stable supply of licensed professionals in the market.
The new rules also change how licences are treated when a land customs station is shut down. In the past, licences linked to a closed station would lose validity. Under the 2026 regulations, however, those licences will remain active.
The holder will be allowed to add jurisdiction and continue operations at any functional customs station, protecting business continuity and sector employment.
Officials say the updated licensing framework reflects NBR’s wider efforts to facilitate trade, improve regulatory predictability, and align customs procedures with international best practices. The reforms are also in line with the government’s push to improve the ease of doing business.
Stakeholders in the import-export ecosystem have long called for clearer and more flexible rules governing C&F activities. In a press release, the NBR stated that the revamped regulations will help professionalise the sector, support smoother clearance operations, and enhance overall efficiency at customs points nationwide.
