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Import Guide · 04

From port arrival to your warehouse.

Clearance is where an otherwise smooth import turns expensive, because every day of delay is charged by both the port and the shipping line. Here is the sequence, and where the meter starts running.

3 min read·Guide 04 of 06

The sequence

  1. Arrival notice. The shipping line notifies the consignee that the vessel has arrived and the manifest is filed.
  2. Bill of Entry filed. Your CHA files it electronically on ICEGATE against your IEC, with the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin.
  3. Assessment. Customs verifies classification and valuation, and computes duty.
  4. Duty payment. Basic Customs Duty, Social Welfare Surcharge and IGST are paid electronically. Estimate yours on the duty calculator →
  5. Examination, if selected. Some consignments are examined physically; others are cleared on the documents under risk management.
  6. Out of charge. Customs releases the goods.
  7. Delivery order and dispatch. The line issues the delivery order once its charges are settled, the container is picked up, and inland transport takes it to your warehouse.
Please confirm before you act on thisIndian import rules and duty rates change. Treat this page as an orientation, not legal advice — confirm the current position with your customs broker (CHA), or ask us on WhatsApp and we will check it against your specific product and HS code.

Where the money leaks

ChargeWhen it startsHow to avoid it
Free periodA few days after arrival, varying by port and lineFile the bill of entry in advance rather than after arrival
DemurrageCharged by the port once the free period endsHave documents and funds ready before the vessel lands
DetentionCharged by the shipping line for holding their containerDestuff and return the container promptly
Examination costsIf the consignment is picked for inspectionAccurate declarations reduce the chance of being flagged
The single biggest saving Prior filing. A bill of entry can be filed in advance of the vessel's arrival, so assessment is already under way when the container lands. Importers who file after arrival routinely lose several days of the free period — and those days are the ones that turn into demurrage.

Ports we most often route to

The right port is the one nearest your warehouse with a sailing that suits your timeline — not necessarily the largest one.

PortServes
Nhava Sheva (JNPT)Mumbai, Pune, western Maharashtra
MundraGujarat, north-west India
ChennaiTamil Nadu and the south-east
KolkataEastern India
ICD TughlakabadDelhi NCR, by inland container movement

What we handle

We coordinate the document set from the China side, book the freight, and work with your CHA so that filing happens on time rather than reactively. If you do not have a CHA, we introduce one at the destination port. The goal is simple: the container should not sit.

Common questions

How long does clearance take?

For a clean consignment with correct documents, commonly a few working days from filing. Examination, a query on classification or valuation, or a missing approval extends it — sometimes considerably.

Can the bill of entry be filed before the ship arrives?

Yes, and it is usually the right thing to do. Prior filing means assessment is already moving when the vessel lands, which protects your free days.

Who pays demurrage if the delay was the supplier's fault?

Commercially it lands on the importer, because the charge is against the consignment. This is why document checking before sailing matters so much — after arrival, your options are limited and expensive.

Do I need to be present at the port?

No. Your CHA acts on your behalf. You will need to be reachable to approve queries and release funds for duty quickly.

01Import documents checklist02IEC code03BIS for lighting & electricals

Not sure how this applies to your order?

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