Customs Procedures in India: Import and Export Under the Customs Act, 1962

 

Introduction to Customs Administration in India

Customs administration forms the backbone of India’s international trade framework, and understanding customs procedures is essential for ensuring smooth movement of goods across borders. The Customs Act of 1962 establishes the legal foundation for controlling the movement of goods across India’s borders, whether by sea, air, or land.[1] This legislative framework operates under the constitutional authority granted by Article 265 of the Indian Constitution, which explicitly mandates that no tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law. Furthermore, Entry 83 of List I to Schedule VII empowers the Union Government to legislate on matters concerning duties of customs, including import and export duties.

The primary objectives of customs regulation extend beyond mere revenue collection. The system serves to protect India’s domestic economy from unfair trade practices, safeguard national security interests, prevent the smuggling of prohibited and restricted goods, and ensure compliance with various international trade agreements to which India is a signatory. The quantum and nature of customs duties are determined through a comprehensive legal framework comprising the Customs Act 1962, the Customs Tariff Act 1975, subordinate rules, notifications issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, circulars providing procedural guidance, judicial precedents, and annual amendments through Union Finance Acts.

India imposes several categories of customs duties depending on the nature and purpose of imports. Basic Customs Duty represents the standard import duty applied to most goods entering the country. Countervailing Duty serves to neutralize the benefits of subsidies provided by exporting countries to their manufacturers. Additional Customs Duty or Special Countervailing Duty addresses domestic taxes such as excise duties that would otherwise create an uneven playing field. Protective duties shield nascent domestic industries from international competition during their developmental phase. Anti-dumping duties counter the practice of selling goods below their normal value in international markets, thereby protecting domestic producers from predatory pricing strategies.

Constitutional and Legal Framework Governing Customs Administration

The constitutional architecture supporting customs administration in India demonstrates the framers’ intent to centralize control over international trade. The Customs Act extends to the whole of India and governs the entry and exit of vessels, aircraft, goods, and passengers across Indian borders. This centralized approach ensures uniformity in customs procedures across the country, preventing the fragmentation that could arise from state-level variations in import-export regulations.

The relationship between the Customs Act 1962 and the Customs Tariff Act 1975 represents a dual approach to customs regulation. While the Customs Act provides the procedural framework for clearance of goods, assessment of duties, and enforcement mechanisms, the Customs Tariff Act classifies goods and prescribes the rates of duty applicable to different categories of imports and exports. This bifurcation allows for flexibility in tariff adjustments through annual Finance Acts without necessitating amendments to the core procedural provisions of the Customs Act.

Import Procedures: From Arrival to Clearance

Filing of Bill of Entry

The import process commences when goods arrive at an Indian port, airport, or land customs station. Section 46 of the Customs Act mandates that importers file a Bill of Entry for goods intended for home consumption or warehousing.[2] This document serves as the importer’s declaration regarding the nature, quantity, value, and classification of imported goods. The Bill of Entry must be filed in the prescribed form and accompanied by supporting documents including the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, insurance documents, import license if applicable, and any certificates required under specific import regulations. Compliance with these customs procedures ensures that imports are legally cleared for entry into the domestic market.

The legislation recognizes that certain goods may not require immediate customs clearance at the port of arrival. Sections 52 through 56 of the Customs Act provide special procedures for goods in transit to destinations outside India, goods intended for transshipment to another customs station within India, and goods that will be transferred to another vessel or aircraft at the same port for onward journey. For such goods, detailed customs procedures are simplified, though procedural compliance remains mandatory. The Import General Manifest or Import Report filed by the carrier must clearly indicate the transit or transshipment status of such goods.

Self-Assessment Regime

Section 17 of the Customs Act introduced a paradigm shift in customs administration by establishing a self-assessment regime.[3] Under this system, importers and exporters bear the responsibility for correctly determining the classification of goods according to the Customs Tariff, declaring the accurate transaction value, calculating the applicable duty, and claiming appropriate exemptions or concessional rates if available. Section 17 of the Customs Act introduced a paradigm shift in customs administration by establishing a self-assessment regime.[3] Under this system, importers and exporters bear the responsibility for correctly determining the classification of goods according to the Customs Tariff, declaring the accurate transaction value, calculating the applicable duty, and claiming appropriate exemptions or concessional rates if available. This approach aligns with international best practices in customs procedures, placing the onus of compliance on the trading community while enabling customs authorities to focus their resources on risk-based verification and enforcement.

The self-assessment regime presumes that importers possess adequate knowledge of customs laws and maintain accurate records of their import transactions. However, the legislation acknowledges situations where an importer may genuinely be unable to determine duty liability with certainty. Section 18 of the Customs Act provides for provisional assessment in such circumstances. When an importer cannot self-assess due to incomplete information regarding the value of goods, uncertainty about the correct tariff classification, or pending test results necessary for classification purposes, a request may be made to the proper officer for provisional assessment. The customs authority may permit provisional clearance upon the importer furnishing security in the form of a bank guarantee or bond to cover the potential difference between provisionally assessed duty and finally determined duty.

Examination of Imported Goods

Verification through physical examination forms an integral component of customs clearance, serving both revenue protection and trade facilitation objectives. The examination process balances the need for thorough verification against the imperative of expeditious clearance. Rather than examining every consignment in its entirety, customs authorities employ risk management systems to identify shipments requiring detailed examination. Factors influencing this selection include the importer’s compliance history, the nature of goods declared, discrepancies in documentation, intelligence regarding potential misdeclarations, and randomized selection protocols.

When first appraisement is warranted, either at the importer’s request or the customs appraiser’s direction, examination occurs before final assessment of duty. The importer must request this facility at the time of filing the Bill of Entry, providing justification for the request. The customs appraiser records the examination order on the Bill of Entry, which is then presented at the import shed where a designated examining officer conducts the physical verification. The shed appraiser or dock examiner opens the packages as necessary, verifies the goods against the declared description, and records detailed findings regarding quantity, quality, and any discrepancies observed.

For consignments not requiring first appraisement, examination occurs after assessment. The assessed Bill of Entry is presented at the import shed where the proper officer of customs conducts verification. Shipments found to conform to the declaration receive clearance orders, enabling the importer to take delivery. Where discrepancies emerge during post-assessment examination, the matter is referred back to the appraising group for reassessment.

Execution of Bonds and Payment of Duty

Certain import schemes and exemption notifications require importers to execute bonds with or without security to ensure compliance with stipulated conditions. These bonds represent undertakings by the importer to fulfill specific obligations such as utilizing imported goods for declared end-use purposes, maintaining proper accounts and records for verification, allowing inspection by customs officers, and paying duty if conditions are violated. The format and conditions of bonds vary depending on the applicable scheme, and execution occurs before the assessing appraiser who verifies the adequacy of security provided.

Payment of assessed customs duty represents a critical step in the clearance process. Importers must deposit the duty amount in designated banks authorized by the respective customs commissionerate. The payment process has been substantially digitized, with electronic payment modes replacing traditional challan-based payments in most locations. Banks endorse payment particulars in the system, enabling real-time verification by customs authorities. This electronic integration minimizes delays associated with manual verification of payment documents.

Amendment Procedures and Prior Entry Facility

The legislation recognizes that genuine errors may occur in Bills of Entry due to clerical mistakes, misunderstanding of complex classifications, or inadvertent omissions. Amendment procedures allow importers to rectify bonafide mistakes after submission of documents. Such amendments require approval from the Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, and the importer must submit a formal request supported by documentary evidence justifying the amendment. The customs authority examines whether the error was genuinely inadvertent and whether the proposed amendment is substantiated by original transaction documents.

Section 46 of the Customs Act facilitates trade by permitting filing of Bills of Entry prior to the arrival of goods, a facility known as prior entry or advance filing. This provision enables importers to initiate clearance procedures while goods are still in transit, thereby reducing dwell time after arrival. A Bill of Entry filed under prior entry remains valid if the carrying vessel or aircraft arrives within thirty days from the date of presentation. Importers must file additional copies including an Advance Noting copy, and must declare that the vessel or aircraft is expected within thirty days. Upon arrival and filing of the Import General Manifest, the importer presents the Bill of Entry for final noting, completing the clearance process expeditiously.

Warehousing Procedures

The warehousing facility under Sections 58 through 73 of the Customs Act allows importers to store goods in customs-bonded warehouses without immediate payment of duty. This facility proves particularly valuable when importers need time to arrange finances for duty payment, wish to store goods pending identification of buyers, or intend to re-export goods without clearing them for home consumption. The Bill of Entry for warehousing follows a format distinct from Bills of Entry for home consumption, though the documentary requirements and assessment procedures remain largely similar.

Payment of assessed customs duty represents a critical step in the clearance process. Importers must deposit the duty amount in designated banks authorized by the respective customs commissionerate. The payment process has been substantially digitized, with electronic payment modes replacing traditional challan-based payments in most locations. Banks endorse payment particulars in the system, enabling real-time verification by customs authorities. This electronic integration reduces errors and ensures that all import transactions comply with established customs procedures.

Export Procedures: From Documentation to Departure

Registration Requirements and Shipping Bill Filing

Export procedures begin with obtaining an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which serves as a unique identifier for each entity engaged in import-export activities. Under the electronic data interchange system implemented across major customs locations, the IEC number is verified online from the DGFT database, ensuring authenticity and compliance with standard customs procedures.

Exporters must also register their authorized foreign exchange dealer code, representing the bank through which export proceeds will be realized. This registration enables the customs system to generate Bank Realization Certificates, which are electronically transmitted to the designated bank for monitoring foreign exchange receipts. Exporters must maintain a current account with the designated bank for credit of drawback incentives and other benefits.

The Shipping Bill constitutes the principal document for export clearance, analogous to the Bill of Entry for imports. Different types of Shipping Bills cater to various export scenarios including free shipping bills for duty-paid goods, drawback shipping bills for claiming duty drawback on inputs used in exported goods, duty-free shipping bills for goods manufactured using duty-free inputs under export promotion schemes, and warehoused shipping bills for goods exported from customs warehouses. Each type of Shipping Bill requires specific supporting documentation relevant to the claimed benefits or concessions.

Documentation and GR Form Requirements

The foreign exchange monitoring mechanism historically relied on GR Forms, which tracked the realization of export proceeds. Exchange Control copies of Shipping Bills were forwarded to the Reserve Bank of India for monitoring purposes. However, recognizing the administrative burden this imposed, the government has granted waivers from GR Form requirements for certain categories of exports. Exports valued at or below twenty-five thousand US dollars are exempt from GR Form requirements, facilitating small-value exports. Similarly, gift exports valued up to five lakh rupees enjoy exemption, acknowledging the non-commercial nature of such transactions. These waivers reduce compliance costs for exporters while maintaining effective monitoring of significant foreign exchange transactions.

Customs Examination and Let Export Order

Upon arrival of export goods at the dock or cargo terminal, port authorities verify the physical receipt of goods against the checklist generated by the electronic system. The exporter or their customs house agent presents the checklist with port endorsement, along with original documents including commercial invoices, packing lists, and any required certificates, to the designated customs officer. This officer verifies the quantity actually received, enters confirmation in the system, and marks the electronic Shipping Bill for examination.

The dock appraiser assigns a customs officer for physical examination if risk parameters or random selection criteria indicate the need for verification. The examination may cover the entire consignment or a representative sample depending on the nature of goods, the exporter’s compliance history, and intelligence inputs. The examining officer prepares a detailed examination report in the electronic system, noting any discrepancies between declared and actual goods. If examination results prove satisfactory and all regulatory requirements are met, the dock appraiser issues the “Let Export” order, authorizing loading of goods onto the export vessel or aircraft.

In certain cases, the dock appraiser may order samples to be drawn for laboratory testing to verify quality standards, compliance with export restrictions, or accurate classification. The customs officer draws samples in duplicate or triplicate as required, prepares test memos signed by customs officials and the exporter, and dispatches samples to designated testing laboratories. Clearance is withheld pending receipt of satisfactory test reports.

Container Stuffing and Loading Supervision

For containerized cargo, stuffing operations at the dock occur under preventive supervision to ensure that goods actually loaded correspond to goods declared in the Shipping Bill and to prevent unauthorized additions or substitutions. Preventive officers verify container seals, supervise the stuffing process, and record container numbers and seal numbers in the system. After completion of stuffing, containers are moved to the vessel loading area under customs supervision.

Loading of both containerized and bulk cargo onto export vessels occurs under preventive supervision. The preventive officer present at the loading berth verifies that loaded goods match the “Let Export” Shipping Bills and provides the “Shipped on Board” endorsement on the exporter’s copy of the Shipping Bill. This endorsement confirms physical export and enables processing of drawback claims and other post-export benefits.

Amendment Procedures for Export Documents

Corrections in export documentation may become necessary due to various reasons including typographical errors in Shipping Bills, changes in shipping arrangements, corrections in quantity or value, or amendments in buyer details. The stage at which correction is sought determines the authority competent to permit the amendment. Before generation of the Shipping Bill number, corrections can be made at the service center without formal approval. After Shipping Bill generation but before the “Let Export” order, the Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Exports may permit amendments upon the exporter’s written request supported by justification and documentary evidence. After issuance of the “Let Export” order, only the Additional Commissioner or Joint Commissioner in charge of exports possesses authority to permit amendments, reflecting the heightened scrutiny applied to post-export modifications.

Drawback Claims and Export General Manifest

Duty drawback represents a refund of customs and central excise duties paid on inputs or raw materials used in the manufacture of exported goods. This mechanism ensures that Indian exports are not disadvantaged in international markets due to embedded duties. Section 75 of the Customs Act provides the legal basis for duty drawback, and detailed rules prescribe the rates and procedures for claiming this benefit.

Under the electronic system, drawback claims are processed automatically without requiring separate claim forms. The Drawback Branch processes claims on a first-come-first-served basis after verification of actual export through the Export General Manifest. Exporters can track claim status through query counters at service centers. If queries or deficiencies are identified, these are communicated electronically, and the claim remains pending until satisfactory responses are received.

Shipping lines and agents must furnish Export General Manifests electronically within seven days from the vessel’s sailing date. The EGM provides Shipping Bill-wise details of exported goods, enabling customs authorities to confirm actual export and release drawback claims. Despite electronic filing, manual EGMs with exporter copies of Shipping Bills continue to be filed as a redundancy measure, ensuring that technical failures in electronic systems do not disrupt the process.

Recent Reforms and Facilitation Measures

Twenty-Four by Seven Customs Clearance

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs introduced round-the-clock customs clearance through Circular 19/2014-Customs dated December 31, 2014, marking a significant departure from traditional working hours.[4] This facility operates at eighteen major seaports and seventeen air cargo complexes, covering specified categories of imports and exports. For imports, facilitated Bills of Entry identified through risk management systems as low-risk shipments qualify for twenty-four by seven clearance. For exports, factory-stuffed containers and goods exported under free Shipping Bills benefit from this facility.

The round-the-clock clearance facility addresses a longstanding concern of the trading community regarding delays caused by restricted customs working hours. Perishable goods, time-sensitive cargo, and just-in-time manufacturing inputs particularly benefit from this reform. The facility reduces dwell time, lowers demurrage and detention charges, and enhances India’s competitiveness in international trade.

Self-Sealing of Export Containers

Traditional Customs procedures required all export containers to be stuffed and sealed under customs supervision, creating bottlenecks at ports and increasing transaction times. Recognizing the maturity of compliance systems and the need for facilitation, the Board introduced simplified procedures for self-sealing of export containers subject to conditions designed to maintain integrity. Authorized exporters with satisfactory compliance records may stuff containers at their factory premises and apply self-seals, which are subsequently verified by customs authorities.

This reform transfers responsibility for container integrity to exporters while enabling customs to focus resources on high-risk consignments. Exporters benefit from flexibility in planning their stuffing operations without depending on customs supervision schedules. The measure exemplifies risk-based facilitation that balances trade efficiency with regulatory oversight.

Electronic Systems and Integration

The comprehensive deployment of electronic data interchange systems across Indian customs locations has transformed clearance processes. The Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System enables electronic filing of Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills, electronic payment of duties, electronic processing and assessment, electronic communication of queries and deficiencies, electronic generation of out-of-charge orders, and electronic tracking of consignment status. These technological interventions have substantially reduced interface between importers-exporters and customs officers, minimizing opportunities for corruption and ensuring transparency in decision-making.

Integration with other government systems has further enhanced efficiency. Connectivity with the DGFT system enables real-time verification of IEC codes and import-export licenses. Integration with port operating systems allows seamless exchange of information regarding arrival and departure of vessels and cargo. Connectivity with banking systems facilitates electronic duty payment verification. These integrations create an ecosystem where information flows seamlessly across stakeholders, eliminating redundant data entry and reducing processing time.

Judicial Interpretation and Case Law

The judiciary has played a crucial role in interpreting customs provisions and resolving disputes between revenue and assessees. Courts have established important principles regarding valuation of imported goods, classification disputes, and procedural compliance. The Supreme Court has consistently held that customs classification must be determined according to trade parlance and commercial understanding rather than scientific or technical definitions in isolation. In Commissioner of Customs v. Dilip Kumar and Company, the Court emphasized that classification requires consideration of how goods are known and understood in commercial circles.[5]

Valuation controversies have generated substantial litigation, with courts addressing issues such as acceptability of transaction value, addition of post-importation costs, and valuation of related party transactions. The Supreme Court in CC v. Ferodo India Private Limited held that transaction value should ordinarily be accepted unless customs authorities demonstrate grounds for rejection based on specific evidence rather than mere suspicion.[6] This judgment reinforced the primacy of declared values while preserving revenue’s right to scrutinize transactions with objective evidence of undervaluation.

Regarding Customs Procedures compliance, courts have balanced strict adherence to statutory requirements against recognition of bonafide errors. While fundamental procedural violations cannot be condoned, courts have shown pragmatism in cases of minor irregularities that do not prejudice revenue or violate the statute’s substantive provisions. This approach prevents technical objections from frustrating legitimate trade while maintaining the integrity of customs procedures.

Conclusion

The customs procedures established under the Customs Act 1962 reflect India’s evolution from a protectionist economy to an increasingly open trading nation. The legislative framework balances revenue protection, regulatory compliance, and trade facilitation imperatives. Recent reforms demonstrate the government’s commitment to ease of doing business, with technological interventions and procedural simplifications reducing transaction costs and enhancing competitiveness. The self-assessment regime, twenty-four by seven clearance facilities, electronic integration, and risk-based clearance systems represent significant strides toward modern customs administration aligned with international best practices. As India continues integrating with the global economy, ongoing refinement of customs procedures will remain essential to supporting economic growth while safeguarding national interests.

References

[1] Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue. (n.d.). The Customs Act, 1962. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. 

[2] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. (2020). Import Procedures and Documentation. https://www.cbic.gov.in/ 

[3] Ministry of Finance. (2016). Self Assessment in Customs. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. https://pib.gov.in/ 

[4] Central Board of Excise and Customs. (2014). Circular No. 19/2014-Customs. Government of India. 

[5] Commissioner of Customs v. Dilip Kumar and Company, (2018) 9 SCC 1. Supreme Court of India. 

[6] Commissioner of Customs v. Ferodo India Private Limited, (2009) 11 SCC 1. Supreme Court of India. 

[7] Directorate General of Foreign Trade. (n.d.). Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Ministry of Commerce and Industry. https://www.dgft.gov.in/ 

[8] Reserve Bank of India. (n.d.). Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods and Services) Regulations. https://www.rbi.org.in/ 

[9] Ministry of Law and Justice. (1950). The Constitution of India. Legislative Department. https://legislative.gov.in/constitution-of-india 

Authorized by Prapti Bhatt