Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Indian customs clearance regulations, freight forwarding options, import documentation, and port operations.
What documents are required for import customs clearance?
The mandatory documents for import customs clearance in India are the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (BL) or Airway Bill (AWB), Import Export Code (IEC), GST Registration, and Country of Origin Certificate. Specialized goods may additionally require PGA permits like FSSAI, BIS, or WPC.
All documents must be digitally signed with a Class-3 digital signature and uploaded to e-Sanchit to generate an Image Reference Number (IRN) linked to your Bill of Entry. Read our full checklist in our guide: Documents Required for Importing Goods into India.
Explore Import Clearance ServicesHow does customs clearance work in India?
Customs clearance in India operates under the CBIC Turant Customs framework through a 5-step process: (1) Pre-arrival filing of an advance Bill of Entry on ICEGATE, (2) e-Sanchit document upload, (3) Faceless Assessment and duty calculation, (4) Duty payment via Electronic Cash Ledger, and (5) Physical cargo examination and Out-of-Charge (OOC) order issuance.
Shipments assessed under the Risk Management System (RMS) green channel are cleared without physical examination, while other consignments undergo inspection by dock appraising officers at IGI Airport or dry port ICDs. For an exhaustive breakdown, read our Import Customs Clearance Complete Guide.
Consult Our Licensed CHAWhat is an IEC (Import Export Code)?
An Import Export Code (IEC) is a mandatory 10-digit business identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is legally required for any commercial business importing goods into or exporting goods out of India.
The IEC has lifetime validity and matches the entity's Permanent Account Number (PAN). However, the DGFT mandates an annual electronic update between April and June each year to keep the license active. Without an active IEC, ICEGATE will reject any Bill of Entry or Shipping Bill submission.
Learn About DGFT ServicesWhat is a Bill of Entry?
A Bill of Entry (BOE) is a statutory legal declaration filed by an importer or licensed Customs House Agent (CHA) with Indian Customs under Section 46 of the Customs Act, 1962. It declares the exact description, quantity, HSN classification, assessable value, and customs duty payable on imported cargo.
There are three primary types of Bills of Entry: (1) Bill of Entry for Home Consumption (White) for direct commercial release upon duty payment, (2) Into-Bond Bill of Entry (Yellow) to transfer goods into a customs bonded warehouse duty-free, and (3) Ex-Bond Bill of Entry (Green) when clearing stored goods from the warehouse for domestic distribution.
Consult Our Customs BrokerWhat is FCL vs LCL?
FCL (Full Container Load) means booking an entire 20ft or 40ft container exclusively for a single shipper's goods, whereas LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidates smaller shipments (1 to 14 CBM) from multiple shippers sharing container space and transportation costs.
FCL provides faster transit because the container moves sealed from origin to destination without intermediate handling. LCL is billed per cubic meter (CBM) under the Weight or Measure (W/M) rule, making it cost-effective for smaller volumes. The economic break-even point is typically around 14 CBM, where FCL becomes cheaper. Compare them in our guide: FCL vs LCL: Which One Should You Choose?.
Explore FCL Container FreightHow long does import customs clearance take?
Air freight customs clearance at IGI Airport New Delhi typically takes 24 to 48 hours for shipments pre-filed under the advance Bill of Entry system. Ocean container clearance at Delhi NCR dry ports (ICD Tughlakabad, Patparganj, Dadri) takes 3 to 4 working days, depending on container grounding and physical examination.
Clearance timelines depend heavily on document accuracy, Faceless Assessment query turnaround, and Partner Government Agency (PGA) sampling. With Fourways Logistics pre-verifying all paperwork, over 80% of our air cargo receives Out-of-Charge (OOC) release within 24 hours of flight landing.
View Air Freight ServicesWhat are customs clearance charges?
Customs clearance charges in India consist of statutory government taxes (Basic Customs Duty, IGST, AIDC cess), licensed Customs House Agent (CHA) professional agency fees, port/custodian handling fees (terminal handling, X-ray scanning, ground rent), and shipping line Delivery Order (DO) charges.
CHA agency fees typically range based on shipment size, container count, and documentation complexity. Custodian storage charges (demurrage) can escalate exponentially if goods are delayed past the initial free storage window (48 hours for air cargo at IGI Airport, 3 to 5 days at ICDs). Fourways Logistics provides 100% transparent upfront fee schedules with zero hidden surcharges.
Request Customs Rate BreakdownWhat is air freight?
Air freight is the transportation of commercial cargo using scheduled passenger aircraft (belly-hold) or dedicated cargo freighters. It offers the fastest global transit speeds (1 to 3 days), making it ideal for high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals, urgent factory breakdown parts, and perishable goods.
Air cargo pricing is calculated on chargeable weight, using the volumetric formula (Length × Width × Height in cm / 6000), where 1 CBM equals 167 kg. Compare modes in our guide: Air Freight vs Sea Freight: Cost, Speed & When to Use Each.
View Air Freight SolutionsWhat is sea freight?
Sea freight is the maritime transportation of goods packed into standardized shipping containers (FCL) or consolidated crates (LCL) transported by oceanic container vessels. It handles over 80% of global international trade volume at the lowest cost per metric ton.
For landlocked regions like Delhi NCR, ocean containers arrive at gateway seaports (Mundra, Pipavav, Nhava Sheva/JNPT) and travel via CONCOR rail freight directly to local Inland Container Depots (ICD Tughlakabad, ICD Dadri, ICD Garhi Harsaru). Ocean shipping takes 15 to 40 days depending on the global trade lane.
View Sea Freight ForwardingStill Have a Specific Question?
Our licensed Customs House Agent directors are available to answer regulatory, tariff classification, or port routing inquiries.
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