The basics, for every shipment
- Commercial invoice from the supplier, showing the price, currency and Incoterms.
- Packing list with weights, quantities and how the cargo is packed.
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Airway Bill (air).
- IEC, your Importer Exporter Code from DGFT, and your GSTIN.
- Insurance certificate, if the invoice is not on CIF terms.
Often needed
- Certificate of origin, if you want a lower duty under a free trade agreement. The importer must also be able to back up the origin claim if Customs asks.
- Technical literature or data sheet, so the goods can be classified correctly. Essential for chemicals, polymers and machinery.
- Licences or authorisations for restricted goods, or for duty-free imports under DGFT schemes.
Goods that need more
- Metal scrap: a pre-shipment inspection certificate, and an import monitoring registration for some metals.
- Food: FSSAI clearance. Plants, seeds and wood packaging: plant quarantine clearance.
- Goods under a Quality Control Order: BIS registration or licence.
- Wireless equipment, drugs, cosmetics and others: approvals from the relevant government agency.
Before your first shipment with a customs broker
Your customs broker has to verify who you are before filing on your behalf. Expect to share your IEC, GST certificate, PAN, address proof and an authorisation letter.
The quickest way to know what you need
Send us the product and the supplier's invoice. We will tell you the HS code, the duty and exactly which documents are missing, before the cargo sails.