Clearance
Customs clearance, handled end to end
We file the bill of entry, classify the goods, pay the duty and release the consignment — at ICD Sanathnagar for sea and the RGIA Air Cargo Complex for air. On our IEC, so you need no licence of your own.
What clearance actually involves
Six things happen between arrival and release
Most importers picture clearance as a single step. It is six, and any one of them can hold a consignment for a week.
- Classification. The goods get an HS code. That code sets the duty rate, and it decides whether a certification is required at all.
- Bill of entry. Filed electronically on ICEGATE, ideally before the vessel or flight arrives so assessment begins earlier.
- Assessment. Customs checks the declared value against its own reference data. An invoice priced well below the norm invites a valuation query.
- Examination. A physical check against the packing list, on a risk basis.
- Duty payment. BCD, social welfare surcharge and IGST paid electronically.
- Out of charge. The release order. Only now can the cargo leave the CFS or terminal.
Compliance we handle
Some categories cannot be released without a specific approval. We identify which apply from the HS code at enquiry stage — before your money leaves — and arrange or verify them.
- BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme for listed electronics
- WPC / ETA approval for wireless and Bluetooth devices
- Extended producer responsibility registration for electronics and plastics
- Category-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, toys and medical devices
- Certificate of origin, where a preferential rate is being claimed
Delays
Why consignments get held, and what prevents it
| Cause | What it costs | How we prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Undervalued invoice | Valuation query, 1–3 weeks, possible penalty | Declared value checked against customs reference data before shipping |
| Description does not match HS code | Reassessment and re-examination | Classification agreed at enquiry stage from the actual product |
| Missing BIS / WPC certification | Held indefinitely; demurrage accrues daily | Requirement flagged before you place the order |
| Packing list does not match cartons | Full examination, penalty risk | Counted and photographed at our China warehouse |
| Incorrect consignee details | Amendment fee and lost days | Documents drafted by us, not the supplier |
| Prohibited or restricted goods | Seizure | HS code screened against import policy at enquiry |
Free days at the CFS are limited. After them, demurrage is charged by the terminal and detention by the shipping line, daily, until the cargo moves.
On our IEC
You get an invoice, not a customs problem
We are the importer of record. We file, we pay the duty, and we carry the exposure if customs raises a query. What reaches you is a GST invoice for a domestic purchase — and the IGST on it is available as input tax credit if you are GST registered.
Questions
About customs clearance
Do I need my own customs broker?
Not when you import through us. We file the bill of entry on our IEC and clear the consignment ourselves at ICD Sanathnagar or the RGIA Air Cargo Complex. If you import on your own IEC we can still act as your customs broker for the clearance leg alone.
What documents does clearance need?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and the bill of entry itself. Depending on the product, customs may also require a certificate of origin, a BIS registration, a WPC or ETA approval for wireless devices, or a compliance certificate specific to the category.
How long does clearance take?
Two to four working days once the consignment is available for examination, assuming documentation is complete and no certification is outstanding. We file in advance of arrival so the clock starts earlier.
What causes a consignment to be held?
In practice: an undervalued invoice, a description that does not match the HS code, a missing product certification, or a mismatch between the packing list and what is in the carton. All four are avoidable, and all four are checked before your goods leave China.
Who pays the duty?
We pay it at clearance and it appears on your invoice. You are not exposed to a duty demand after the fact, and you are not chasing an ICEGATE challan yourself.
Can you clear a consignment I imported through someone else?
Yes, if it is consigned correctly. Send us the bill of lading and the invoice and we will tell you whether it can be handled and what it will cost.
Get started
Send us the shipment details
Product, HS code if you have it, and the bill of lading or airway bill. We will confirm duty, certification requirements and clearance cost.