» Custom Clearance

Once the pre shipment inspection of the export consignment is over and packing has been completed, the exporter should arrange for shipment of goods. At this stage, services of a clearing and forwarding agents should be taken to ensure timely and smooth shipment of goods. The various steps in involved in the process of custom clearance. These are as follow.

1- Documents required for custom clearance

* Commercial invoice - 2 copies
* Packing list - 2 copies
* Copy of L/C or contact
* ARE - 1 form - 3 copies
* Quality inspection certificate
* Annexure 'A' with deceleration
* Exchange control deceleration (SDF/GR)
* Custom copy of export authorization in case of restricted item

2- Submission of Documents to port trust authorities

The documents are
* Port trust copy of shipping bill - 2 copies
* Export application (for payment of dock charges) - 2 copies
* Cart chit - 2 copies
This is necessary in case of export by sea only.

3- Payment of airport terminal storage and processing charges

Exporter is required to pay the airport terminal storage and processing charges (TSP) to the airport authority.

4- Processing of documents

The documents tendered are checked to as certain whether the same are in order and whether that is consistent. The detail of goods, FOB value, duty drawback rate (whenever applicable) and input output norms (whenever applicable) given on the shipping bill are checked by the inspector and the superintendent of customs.

* After processing of the documents, shipped bill and SDF/GRI form (original copies) are detached from the set of documents.

* At this stage export cargo is brought in accordance with carting order issued by the airlines to allow entry of cargo in the warehouse

* After the goods have been received in the warehouse the same are specified to physical examination. The superintendent of customs directs the inspector to physically inspect the goods and record on the duplicate and triplicate copy of the shipping bill.

* The superintendent of custom will finalize the record and on the basis the cargo is cleared for export

* The cargo is then shifted to the shed of airlines (in case of air shipment), in care of ICD the cargo is shifted to the container for shipment to the port. The customer, shipping company and railway authorities shall affix the seal on the container.

* After loading of cargo, bill of loading/ airway bill is issued by the shipping company/ airlines.

* Lastly, the exporter shall receive back export promotion copy of the shipping bill and duplicate copy of SDF/GR form as well as other documents.