India

Indian Customs Contact Information

Website: http://www.cbec.gov.in/ 

Email: jain.ajay@nic.in 

Address: Custom House, near all India Radio, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009

Telephone: +91 27544630 

India is a country situated in South Asia bordered by the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is a member of the East Asia Summit, World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Import Procedure:

In case of Electronic Data Interchange no formal Bill of Entry is filed as it is generated in the computer system, but the importer is required to file a cargo declaration having prescribed particulars required for processing of the entry for customs clearance. In case of non-EDI more documents are also generally required.

Green Channel facility

Some major importers have been given the green channel clearance facility. They have to make a declaration in the declaration form at the time of filing of Bill of Entry. The appraisement is done as per normal procedure except that there would be no physical examination of the goods. Certain goods are prohibited under Foreign Trade.

The average customs duty is around 15%. Alcohol, wines, pet foods, some processed food products, and some manufactured goods are attracting higher customs tariff; however the tariff rate keeps on changing although the general trend is downwards. Some customs preferences are granted to certain goods imported, subject to conditions. You can consult a list on the website of the Ministry of Finance of India. Preferential rates also apply to imports from those countries with which India has signed special Trade Agreements. 

Export Procedure:

For clearance of export goods, the exporter or his agents have to undertake the following formalities:-

Registration

The exporters have to obtain PAN based Business Identification Number (BIN) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade prior to filing of shipping bill for clearance of export goods.

The exporters are also required to register authorised foreign exchange dealer code (through which export proceeds are expected to be realised) and open a current account in the designated bank for credit of any drawback incentive.

Whenever a new Airline, Shipping Line, Steamer Agent, port or airport comes into operation, they are required to be registered into the Customs System.

The exporters intending to export under the export promotion scheme need to get their licences/DEEC book etc, registered at the Customs Station.

Processing of Shipping Bill

In case of export by sea or air, the exporter must submit the 'Shipping Bill', and in case of export by road he must submit 'Bill of Export' in the prescribed form containing the prescribed details such as the name of the exporter, consignee, invoice number, details of packing, description of goods, quantity, FOB value, etc. Along with the Shipping Bill, other documents such as copy of packing list, invoices, export contract, letter of credit, etc. are also to be submitted.

Let Export Order

After the receipt of the goods in the dock, the exporter may contact the Customs Officer designated for the purpose and present the checklist with the endorsement of Port Authority and other declarations along with all original documents. Customs Officer may verify the quantity of the goods actually received and thereafter mark the Electronic Shipping Bill and also hand over all original documents to the Dock Appraiser, who may assign a customs officer for the examination of the goods. If the Dock Appraiser is satisfied that the particulars entered in the system conform to the description given in the original documents, he may proceed to allow "let export" for the shipment.

Product certification, labelling and packaging

Labelling

Outer containers should bear consignee and port mark and be numbered (to accord with packing list) unless their contents can be otherwise readily identified. Gross weight must be shown on two faces.

Packaging

Packing should be strong and should guard against extreme heat and humidity in summer and possible storage in the open and pilferage. Steel strapping is recommended.

Special certificates

Livestock imports must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate issued and certified by an approved authority in the country of origin.

Plants, plant products and leaf tobacco require phytosanitary certificates issued by an approved authority in the country of origin and certified by an approved organisation.

Additionally, leaf tobacco must be accompanied by a special certificate stating that the tobacco is free from ephestia elutella or that the pest does not exist in the country of origin. Any shipment of tobacco leaf arriving without the above certificate will be examined by an Indian Government inspector and a fee charged.

Used clothing requires a certificate of fumigation issued by an approved authority in the country of origin.

Port wine requires a certificate indicating alcoholic content and spirits may need a certificate of maturity.

Documents for import/export:

Commercial invoice

A minimum of 4 copies is required and must be signed by the supplier in exporting country. The invoice must show details such as:

• country of origin
• consignee's name
• number and date of letter of credit and import licence number
• terms of payment
• name of carrier
• number
• description and identifying marks of outer containers

Insurance

Bill of lading

Minimum of two copies normally required. To Order bills are also acceptable.

Freight charges must be stated separately and quantities must be indicated in metric terms.

Import reference number and letter of credit number are to be shown.

Must indicate the name and address of the applicant and the issuing bank.

Packing list

Certificate of origin

Issued by local Chamber of Commerce (three copies normally required).

Sources:

http://www.dov.gov.in/newsite3/clearance_procedure.asp 

http://howtoexportimport.com/Export-customs-clearance-procedures-and-formalitie-146.aspx 

http://www.quantaco.com/download/Bonnici%20India%20PRESENTATION.pdf