BRICS 2026 and Customs Cooperation: What Indian Exporters Need to Know

BRICS 2026 is strengthening customs cooperation, AEO programmes and digital trade documentation. Learn what Indian exporters should know about the latest developments.

Sneha Das

9/18/20262 min read

The 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi has put customs cooperation and trade facilitation among the practical areas of economic cooperation.

The New Delhi Declaration notes progress on cooperation between BRICS customs authorities, including information exchange, technical assistance and the BRICS AEO Action Plan 2026. It also supports greater digitisation of trade documentation.

For Indian exporters, these developments matter because customs processes directly affect the speed, cost and predictability of international trade.

What Is BRICS Customs Cooperation?

BRICS customs cooperation involves participating countries working together on areas such as:

Customs information exchange
Technical cooperation and training
Authorized Economic Operator programmes
Best-practice sharing
Joint customs enforcement
Digitisation of trade documentation

The declaration also records convergence on a proposed BRICS Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, subject to the required national processes.

What Is the BRICS AEO Action Plan 2026?

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) framework is designed to recognise businesses that meet specified customs-related standards.

The BRICS declaration encourages voluntary implementation of the BRICS AEO Action Plan 2026, including information exchange, capacity building and work toward mutual recognition while respecting each country's domestic framework.

This does not mean that an Indian exporter automatically receives customs benefits merely because it trades with another BRICS country.

The relevant Indian customs requirements and AEO framework continue to apply.

Why Does Digital Trade Documentation Matter?

International shipments involve invoices, shipping documents, declarations and other supporting records.

Greater digitisation and coordination can help reduce duplication and improve information flow between trade stakeholders. The BRICS declaration specifically identifies digitisation of trade documentation as part of its trade-facilitation efforts.

For exporters, accurate and consistent documentation remains essential.

What Should Indian Exporters Check?

Before expanding into BRICS markets, exporters should review:

IEC and export documentation
Product classification and applicable customs requirements
Commercial invoices
Shipping documentation
Country-specific import requirements
Applicable certifications
AEO eligibility, where relevant
GST and export documentation
Records maintained for customs and banking purposes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is there one common BRICS customs system?

A: No. BRICS customs cooperation does not replace the individual customs laws and procedures of member countries.

Q2. What is the BRICS AEO Action Plan 2026?

A: It is a cooperation framework covering areas such as AEO information exchange, capacity building, best practices and potential mutual recognition, subject to national frameworks.

Q3. Will BRICS customs cooperation reduce customs duties?

A: Not automatically. Customs cooperation and trade facilitation are different from agreements that change tariff rates.

Q4. Can every Indian exporter become an AEO?

A: Eligibility depends on the applicable Indian customs AEO requirements. BRICS cooperation does not itself grant AEO status.

Q5. Will export documentation become completely digital?

A: BRICS is encouraging digitisation of trade documentation, but implementation will depend on individual countries, systems and applicable regulations.

Conclusion

BRICS customs cooperation is moving beyond broad policy discussions toward practical areas such as AEO cooperation, information exchange, technical capacity building and digital trade documentation.

For Indian exporters, the immediate priority remains accurate documentation and compliance with Indian and destination-country customs requirements. As BRICS cooperation develops, businesses with well-organised export processes will be better positioned to use emerging trade-facilitation mechanisms.

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