FFFAI’s new Office Bearers take charge

* Sonowal addresses concurrent India Maritime Week 2025 Roadshow
* CBIC highlights facilitation and acknowledges FFFAI’s proactive engagement

The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) held its 62nd Annual General Meeting & 1st Executive Committee Meeting for the term 2025-27 on September 24 & 25, 2025 at Aurika Hotel & Resorts, Mumbai. 

 

The first Executive Committee Meeting saw the Committee elect the new Office Bearers for the term 2025-2027.

Mr Amit Kamat, who was Chairman-Elect for the term 2023-2025, has taken over as Chairman, FFFAI for the term 2025-27

The elected Office Bearers of FFFAI for the term 2025-2027 are:

*  Chairman-Elect – Mr S. Nataraja: Chennai

*  Vice Chairman – Mr Vinod Sharma: Pune

* Vice Chairman – Mr Rajesh Verma: Ludhiana

*  Vice Chairman – Mr Dinesh Gupta: Kandla

* Vice Chairman – Mr S. Anil Kumar: Hyderabad

*  Vice Chairman – Mr Kartik Pancholi: Ahmedabad

*  Vice Chairman – Mr Sudhir Agarwal: Nagpur

*  Honorary Secretary – Mr Sudip Dey: Kolkata

* Honorary Treasurer – Dr Nirav Thakker: Mumbai

Mr Dushyant Mulani who was Chairman of FFFAI for the term 2023-25 is now the Immediate Past Chairman for the term 2025-27, while Mr Shankar Shinde, who was Immediate Past Chairman for the term 2025-27, has now joined the Board of Advisors as Advisor – Past Chairman.

FFFAI is the apex body of Customs Brokers Associations and Freight Forwarders in India, comprising 31 Customs Brokers Associations as Ordinary Members and more than 6,500 Associate & Allied Members across the country.

As the national representative body of Customs Brokers’ Associations, FFFAI consistently takes up significant policy issues concerning Customs Brokers and logistics stakeholders, and engages with government authorities to strengthen India’s EXIM trade ecosystem.

Efforts towards trade facilitation

 During the term 2023–2025, the Federation actively worked with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to support and advance multiple trade facilitation and outreach initiatives. Key contributions included:

* Progressive suggestions for digitisation and improvements in the Faceless Assessment process.

*Advocacy for the protection of Customs Brokers and their role in compliant trade.

* Active engagement in integration with Partnering Government Agencies (PGAs).

* Pursuit of digitisation initiatives such as:

* Online payment module for voluntary payment of Customs Duty.

* Online refunds and facilitation measures.

* Introduction of “Ekal Anubandh”, represented by FFFAI at national forums including NCTF and CCG.

CBIC Chairman highlights GST reforms and trade facilitation initiatives at AGM

Mr Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), in a video keynote address at the 62nd AGM, placed on record his appreciation of the Federation for its pivotal role in strengthening India’s logistics sector and for consistently serving as an effective bridge between the government and the freight forwarding community. He extended warm congratulations to Mr Amit Kamat as he takes over as Chairman from Mr Dushyant Mulani, expressing confidence that under his stewardship, FFFAI will continue to play a crucial role in advancing the interest of the Customs Brokers and freight forwarding community.

GST reforms and benefits

The Chairman highlighted that this Navratri has begun on a truly historic note as the nation welcomes the next generation GST reforms. Marking the occasion, the Honourable Prime Minister announced the commencement of the GST Bachat Utsav, bringing the spirit of savings and growth to every household. Describing it as a new wave of GST benefits for every citizen, the Prime Minister underlined how essential items will become more affordable, raising the lives of the poor, middle class, farmers, women, students and youth.

These path-breaking reforms are expected to further accelerate India’s growth story and strengthen the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. For the logistics sector in particular, the reforms bring in a forward-looking GST rate structure that is designed to address both competitiveness and ease of doing business.

The new rate structure incentivises the use of multimodal transport of goods through rail and waterways by making it uniform for different modes. This is in line with the government’s vision of promoting integrated end-to-end and greener modes of transport.

In the case of goods transport agency services, the rate rationalisation has removed distortions that created disparity between operators, and ensures a level playing field for both small and large players. It also aligns GTA services with other logistics modes like pipeline, renting and multimodal services. GST on commercial goods vehicles such as trucks and delivery vans has also been reduced, providing direct relief to the transport sector. With the reduction in cost, the government appeals that these benefits are passed on to the consumers in a transparent manner, supporting savings and affordability.

Customs modernisation initiatives

On the Customs front, CBIC has introduced several cutting-edge initiatives to enhance efficiency and transparency in trade facilitation. A notable example is the development of the universal e-seal reader, a digital solution that enables real-time reading of RFID-enabled electronic seals affixed to factory stuffed export containers.

Already operational at Nhava Sheva and Mundra Port, this initiative will ensure the smooth movement of trucks carrying export goods. The Chairman reaffirmed that CBIC is working with a broader vision to enable Customs administration for a futuristic logistics landscape by leveraging automation and non-intrusive technologies.

At the same time, CBIC is deepening international collaboration through mutual recognition arrangements and by engaging with partner nations in trade agreements to ensure secure, seamless and efficient global trade.

Conclusion

Concluding his message, the Chairman conveyed his best wishes to the Federation, expressing hope that their efforts continue to complement the government’s vision of a modern, efficient and globally competitive logistics ecosystem.

CBIC Member (Customs) addresses AGM

Mr Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), CBIC, in his video address, extended his best wishes to the members of the Federation for successful coming years. He highlighted that CBIC has endeavoured to undertake innovative solutions that benefit cross-border trade and cargo carriers, thereby providing ease of life as well as ease of doing business for stakeholders in this area.

He acknowledged FFFAI’s proactive engagement with CBIC and other stakeholder ministries of the government during the successful rollout of many programs, including stages of pilot testing and user acceptance tests in the field of digitalisation, as well as in areas of simplification and miscellaneous areas which impact positively on customer experience.

Mr Bhujabal emphasised that the Government of India is committed to continue striving to provide newer solutions which will positively benefit stakeholders and customers. He noted that India is aiming to be a leader in commodity transactions in the area of carbon credits and, in this endeavour, the association and engagement with stakeholders, including FFFAI, is significant.

The Member (Customs) concluded by wishing the outgoing team and the incoming team all success for the many good times ahead.

FFFAI has also reinforced its commitment to capacity building and training through initiatives rolled out at various Customs locations. A special emphasis has been placed on promoting women’s participation in Customs clearance and logistics, ensuring inclusivity and greater representation in the sector.

Commitment to the future

Looking ahead, FFFAI reiterates its resolve to collaborate closely with CBIC and other government agencies to accelerate trade facilitation measures, reduce logistics costs, and foster efficiency and transparency in India’s EXIM trade.

Sonowal graces India Maritime Week 2025 Roadshow held concurrently with 62nd AGM

FFFAI and Indian Maritime Centre (IMC) jointly hosted the India Maritime Week 2025 Roadshow concurrently with the 62nd AGM. The event’s theme was “Navigating Change: Redefining India’s Trade & Logistics Amid Geopolitical Disruptions”.

The following dignitaries and speakers were in attendance:

*  Mr Amit Kamat, Chairman, FFFAI

* Mr Dushyant Mulani, I. P. Chairman, FFFAI

* Mr Devki Nandan, Chairman, IMC

* Mr Shantanu Bhadkamkar, President, AMTOI

* Mr Debashis Dutta, President - CII (West Bengal)

* Mr Shankar Shinde, Past Chairman and Advisor, FFFAI; Vice Chairman, IMC

* Capt. Vikas Vij, Immediate Past President, ICC Shipping Association (ICCSA)

* Capt. Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Partner - Quadraant Legal

* Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

In his address, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, who was the Chief Guest for the event, positioned India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 as a pivotal platform for showcasing India’s transformative maritime ambitions and fostering international collaboration. 

He emphasised that the Prime Minister’s participation will inspire global industry leaders to invest in India’s growth story, highlighting flagship initiatives like Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which will double port capacity and elevate cargo handling.

Mr Sonowal called upon stakeholders to view IMW 2025 not merely as an event, but as “a movement” to unlock India’s maritime potential.

Scheduled for October 27-31 in Mumbai, the event is poised to attract over 100 countries and more than 100,000 stakeholders, underscoring its role as a “confluence of ideas and confidence” in the global maritime ecosystem, emphasised a communique.

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