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Country Customs Information
View HS Codes on India's customs official site
Imports
General Import Guidelines
- The importer must have a valid Import / Export Code (IEC) from Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
- Imported goods must conform to licensed activities of the importer
- Imported goods must be accompanied with an International Waybill, a Commercial Invoice, and a Packing List
- Imported goods into India must have the country of origin printed or embossed physically on each item; for example "made in China" made in Japan", etc. The country of origin must also be stated on the Commercial Invoice, and Packing List; failure to comply with this regulation may prohibit entry of the goods
- All International express shipments imported into India will need to include a KYC Form
- HS Codes must be stated clearly on the Commercial Invoice . Where the HS Codes are not stated, Customs Authorities shall determine the proper HS Codes based on the goods and the stated description
- Customs duties must be paid on time. Failure to comply with this regulation may cause penalty
- Bonafide (individual to individual) gifts, irrespective of shipment value, will attract customs duty of 77.28%
- Shipments containing books for personal use are no longer customs duty exempted
- Ecommerce shipments purchased by importers will not be duty exempted regardless of value
- Imported goods valued above 100,000 INR or require formal clearance (Bill of Entry) ; will need to comply with the instructions provided by the Aramex clearance team within 24 hours of the shipments’ arrival time . Failure to comply with this will cause a penalty of 5,000 INR per day up to three days, and 10,000 INR for any additional day
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Import Duties and Fees
- The customs valuation is based on CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) which means that the amount used to assess customs duty is the sum of cost of goods, insurance and shipping cost to India
- Generally the declared CIF amount on Commercial Invoice is accepted, but Customs Authorities might estimate a different value based on HS Codes
- Sales Tax will be imposed on imported goods might vary by state
The following is a trade agreement with India that can benefit from customs reduction rate. To benefit from customs reduction, Certificate of Origin accompanied with Commercial Invoice are required
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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Duties Exemption
A number of goods are exempted from customs duties. Below are some of the applied exemptions:
- Goods addressed to government or semi-government agencies
- Diplomatic goods
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Imports Required Documents
General Imports
Import Declaration is processed in the event of goods being imported into India from other countries. The below documents are needed:
- Copy of Import / Export Code (IEC)
- Original Waybill
- Original Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce
- Packing List (detailed)
In case of goods are above INR 111,445 (USD 2,000) value the below documents are needed:
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Declaration
- Clearance Authorization Letter
- Product Catalogue
Re-Export
Declaration is processed in the event of importing goods into India for purpose of re-exporting, the below documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- Original Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce
- Packing List (detailed)
Temporary Import - Exhibition / Repair and Return
Upon entry of goods into India on temporary basis for the purpose of taking part in an exhibition or repairs / maintenance, a deposit amount equivalent to customs duties has to be made for the benefit of Customs Authorities. The deposit is refunded upon exporting the goods. If the goods are not being exported the deposit is forfeited. The below documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- Original Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce
- Packing List (detailed)
When completing your Commercial Invoice, we recommend that you abide by Aramex guidelines to ensure timely and efficient clearance Read More
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Exports
When exporting goods from India some documents and regulations will be applied before the exit of goods to the destination. Failure to submit required documents may delay goods when exporting
Exporters need to include the following documents with their goods:
- Original Commercial Invoice, Shippers Letter of Instruction (SLI), Packing List, IEC Copy, Address proof – (Electricity Bill), CHA Authority Letter (Duly stamped and signed by shipper) Bank Dealer code. Additional documents may be needed depending on commodity type, please click here
- Commercial shipments for shippers who are not registered at one of
Aramex's gateways will require the following:
- IFSC code registration (with company’s letter head and to be stamped and signed by authorized signatory)
- IEC photo copy with stamp and sign
- Pan card photo copy with stamp and sign
- Authority letter
- Original Bank letter with Bank stamp and Bank manager Stamp and sign and is EMP code no.
- Formal Customs Declaration if goods’ value is above USD 364 or requesting a duty refund. The Customs Declaration needs to contain both Authorized Dealer code (AD) and Import export code IEC. Fee: USD 30 per shipment presented to customs authorities
- Certificate of Origin to benefit from GSP agreement where applicable
- For certain goods, a strategic export license is required. Example where these licenses are needed include: military, dual-use, and chemicals, and medications
Important Notes
- All exported goods might be inspected by Customs Authorities
- Aramex will not transport goods that are prohibited by the laws or regulations of India
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Transiting Goods
Transiting Goods through India can only remain for 90 days from the date of arrival into the country
To process Transiting Goods, the following documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- Original Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce
- Packing List (detailed)
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Prohibited / Restricted Goods
Aramex will not transport goods that are prohibited by the laws or regulations of India
In accordance to Aramex Shipping Policy, the following goods are not acceptable for transport by Aramex:
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Monetary items including currency, fake money, and coins
- Publications that are offensive to religions, morals, human rights or aims to cause corruption and disorder
- Narcotics and drugs including heroin, opium, drugs raw material (powder, liquid), cannabis leaves, etc.
- Counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
- Fireworks*
- Ivory and ivory products*
- Furs*
- Jewelry, precious metals , stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value*
- Bullion*
- Chemical waste and nuclear waste
- Hazardous items as defined in IATA Regulations*
- Ammunitions*
- Human remains, including ashes*
- Animals, plants, food items, and perishable items*
*
Certain goods which are listed above as
prohibited may be accepted by Aramex on a contractual basis, if exporters /
importers are able to comply with all applicable regulations
In key locations, Aramex employees are certified and supported by a customer
service team to keep customers updated, and address all inquiries
Some goods require approval from the designated authority prior to importing
into India. Some examples are shown below:
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Aramex Clearance Service
Aramex offers clearance service covering the following Customs Ports:
Aramex offers a wide range of customs clearance services (starting with Delivery
Order collection up to delivery of goods). In addition, Aramex offers storage in
Aramex warehouses when needed.
Request a Customs Clearance Offer here
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References