Import Documentation Requirement for Customs Clearance

Following are the documents required for custom clearance:

Invoice - This is the most important document that certifies the sale as well as gives the description of the items as well as reflects the pricing or the value of the cargo. Invoices shall contain the following information: name and address of the seller (consignor), name and address of the buyer (consignee), place and date of issue, when the sale took place, details of product, unit, net quantity, type of packing, H.S. Code, the selling price of individual articles and the currency in which the price is specified, terms of payment, payment conditions and delivery conditions, discounts and other deductions and the reasons for granting such discounts or making such deductions. Generally two types of values are mentioned in the invoice. These are: Free on board (FOB) value: In this the exporter pays the freight charges and insurance charges and importer need to pay only Invoice mentioned value. Cost insurance freight (CIF) value: In this case importer pays all the three, including freight, insurance and net cost. Types of container are: FCL Full container load: These are of two types that are 20 foot (28 cubic meters) and 40 foot container (68 cubic meters). LCL Less container load: Shipping term for cargo that is insufficient either in quantity or in weight to qualify for the freight rates applied to a standard shipping container. Packing List - It is mandatory to put the shipping marks on all the cargo covering each and every individual piece or parcel. The details of the number of parcels in the consignment, their dimension, the shipping marks, the gross and net weights of each of the parcels along with the number of units contained in each parcel is catalogued in the form of packing list. Packing List is used to identify the parcels as belonging to the particular consignment under the said Invoice. No .of items in packing list and Invoice should be same. Bill of Lading - Bill of Lading is a negotiable multi modal transport document issued by the Shipping Line certifying carriage of the said cargo under the specific invoice on behalf of the exporter or importer depending upon the terms of sale. An On Board Bill of Lading is usually considered to be the apt Bill of Lading that

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signifies that the cargo has been loaded On Board the vessel or the ship. This is one of the documents required for negotiations of payment from importer to the exporter. Certificate of Origin - Certain bilateral agreements and multi lateral agreements would enjoy favorable tariffs for import duties. In such cases when the consignments are exported from such member countries, the designated Export Agency issues Certificate of Origin to the importer for submission to Customs. Based on this certificate the Customs Department of the Importing Country classifies the cargo under specific schedule. Certificate of Origin also helps to avoid third party countries from routing imports through member countries and effecting third party exports to avoid duty, quantity or license restrictions. Quality or inspection certificates if the buyer specifies an inspection prior to shipment, these are paramount to making sure the deal is confirmed.

To track the container and find out the ETA of the container: The complete procedure when the container had reached the destination
Custom House Agent (CHA): CHA is a person who is licensed to act as an agent for transaction of any business to the entry or departure of conveyances or handling the Import procedures in clearing the container from the port. Duty Charge: Customs Duty is a type of indirect tax levied on goods imported as well as on goods exported. This duty is charged on the total invoice value as mentioned in the invoice. Top up: Top up is the legal procedure of actual calculation of the prices of the imported goods as per the international market rates. Customs valuation is based on the value reflected on the Invoice. Customs also verifies the rates charged in the commercial invoice and can question the rates applied incase it has sufficient cause to believe that the rates charged as not as per international market rates or the invoice is under valued to avoid duties. This is followed by verification and further examination of complete products. Shipping line charges: These are the charges which are concerned with arranging all movements from port to port , organizes all traffics navigation in sea ports. Port Charge: Taxes and surcharge which apply to a ship and/or the cargo on board the ship once it has reached port and includes cost of constructing, maintaining, and operating hydraulic engineering and navigation facilities. If the invoice is mentioned with 14 days detention free at destination means container fine is free till 14 days. If the container is prevented from loading or discharging cargo within the stipulated laytime then demurrage is charged accordingly. Bribe: Generally bribe is paid to reduce the amount of top up so as to reduce net amount.

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 Freight: Freight charge is paid for carriage or transportation of goods by. Goods may be transported on freight-prepaid or freight-collect basis: (1) If the freight is paid by the consignor (as under C&F and CIF terms) the goods remain the consignor's property until their delivery is taken by the consignee upon their arrival at the destination, and payment of the consignor's invoice. (2) If freight is paid by the consignee (as under FOB terms) the goods become the consignee's property when handed over to the carrier against a bill of lading. Cartage: Charge for transporting goods for short distances, such as within a commercial area of godown. Generally it is the charge after clearing of container i.e. Delivery Order from customs till delivery to godown.

Follow up with CHA for final documents receipts.

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