Import Customs Clearance Explained - Mumbai

When customs clearance is associated with imported goods, it is known as import customs clearance. The process involves examination, evaluation, and appraisal of goods that aid the custom authorities to determine how much duty is to be charged and also assess the goods against any illicit import. Let’s take a closer look at major intervention points of the import customs clearance process.

Bill of Entry - The bill of entry is the first major step in the entire import customs clearance process flow. It is also termed as Shipping Bill. It is a statement that is prepared by the shipper mentioning the nature and value of goods that are to be imported. This document is presented to the Customs House and is supposed to be filed by the importer in four copies namely original and duplicate which are meant for customs, third copy for the importer himself, and the fourth copy for the bank for making remittances, if any. In the EDI way, no Bill of Entry is to be filed as the system generates it. However, the importer needs to file a cargo declaration with particulars essential to process the entry of the goods for customs clearance.