Custom Clearance Process

Custom Clearance Process Information

Customs Clearance Process for Excess Baggage

Excess Baggage does not get cleared as most normal courier items.

It has a completely different set of rules and is only available to those who are traveling to India where the sender and receiver is the same person.

In most cases, only a clearance fee is applicable regardless of the number of boxes being sent.

The process takes approx. 10 – 12 days from the date of arrival in India and our team will assist you in getting this cleared.

The following documents are required for verification of identity.

Original Passport
Copy of Adhaar Card
Copy of PAN Card
Authorisation Letter
Content List

Please note – Approval is required from Customs to use this method of clearance. Should Customs reject your request, it will be cleared as a Gift item with applicable duties and taxes.

Should you have any questions, feel free to call us and we will be happy to help.

Customs Clearance Process for Gift, Sample & Commercial

We do not have any control over the amount of customs duty charged on your Courier To India. Your duty depends on the following factors:

Declared Value
Replacement Value
Actual Value

Most often the declared value is used to calculate the amount of duty charged on your courier. However, the customs department in India has the authority to revise the declared value and tax your Courier To India accordingly.

Call us to discuss your Courier to India and how your duties/taxes can be managed successfully.

Step-by-Step: Customs Clearance Process in India Custom Duty Charges for Commonly Imported items into India

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how COURIERS TO INDIA navigates customs in India on your behalf:

a.	Arrival of Parcel at Indian Port/Airport	When your parcel lands in India (typically at major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai), it undergoes initial screening. Customs officials scan and inspect packages for prohibited items or discrepancies. This step ensures compliance with India’s import regulations.
b.	Documentation check and Lodgment of Bill of Entry at Customs through Electronic Data Interface (EDI)	Customs authorities require specific documents to process your parcel. These include: *KYC Documents: Government-issued ID (Aadhar, Passport, or Voter ID) of the receiver. Invoice/Proforma Invoice: Details the contents, value, and purpose of the shipment. Packing List: Lists all items in the parcel. Declaration Form: Required for specific shipments like gifts. Importer Exporter Code (IEC)*: Mandatory for commercial shipments. Accurate declarations prevent delays or penalties. Incomplete or incorrect documents are a common cause of parcels being held at customs. Bill of Entry is lodged electronically (as per image) and all contents of the shipment are clearly listed in chronological order. Each line item is then assessed by the officer.
c.	Assessment of Duties and Taxes	Customs officials calculate duties based on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight). Common charges include: *Basic Customs Duty (BCD): A percentage of the CIF value, varying by item type. It is a tax on the value of goods at an ad-valorem rate regulated by the Customs Tariff Act of 1975. The central government can exempt any goods from this tax. Additional Customs Duty or Special CVD: These are imposed on imported goods to align them with local and domestic taxes. There are variations of these duties charged for different reasons, e.g.: Countervailing duty (CVD)* imposed to offset subsidies given to producers in the exporting country; *Anti-dumping duty* imposed on imports sold below fair market value to protect domestic industries from unfair competition; *Safeguard duty* levied to ensure no domestic industries in India are harmed by external forces; and, *Protective duty* imposed to protect the domestic or local industry against imports, among others. *Education Cess: charged at 2% (sometimes more) of the overall aggregate of customs duties. National calamity contingent duty (NCCD): levied on tobacco, pan masala and similar products, which can harm human health. The tax rate can vary from 10% to 45% based on various factors. Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST): Applied based on the item’s HS code. Social Welfare Surcharge*: Calculated as 10% of the aggregate custom taxes, duties and cesses imposed. The bottom line is that taxes vary. For example, electronics may attract higher duties, while documents are often duty-free.As per image, the duty is communicated to the carrier and paid on your behalf.
d.	Payment of Customs Duties	Duties are typically paid by the receiver, but senders can prepay in some cases. Couriers to India offers flexible payment options, including online methods, and notifies you of charges upfront to avoid surprises.
e.	Inspection (If Applicable)	Some parcels undergo physical inspection, especially if flagged for high value, restricted items, or incomplete documentation. Customs uses a Green Channel (fast-track clearance for low-risk parcels) or Red Channel (detailed inspection). Common reasons for inspection include: High-value items (e.g., electronics). Suspicion of prohibited goods. Mismatched declarations. Suitcases Odd-shaped items like cricket bags, artificial Christmas trees, etc.
f.	Customs Clearance Approval	Once duties are paid and inspections (if any) are cleared, customs authorities approve the parcel for release. You’ll receive a tracking update confirming clearance.
g.	Final Delivery to Recipient	The parcel is handed over to a local delivery partner for last-mile delivery. Post-clearance delivery typically takes 1–3 days, depending on the destination.

Customs Duty Charges for Commonly Exported Items

Here’s a summary of typical duties for common items (based on general rates, subject to change):

Item Category	Approx. Duty Rate	Notes
Electronics (Mobiles, Laptops)	20–40% -BCD + IGST at 18%	High-value items attract higher duties.
Apparel & Fashion Items	10–30%	Depends on the material and value.
Documents	Duty-Free	Documents are exempt.
Food & Medicines	5–30%	Strict regulations & may require permits.
Gifts	No duty-free threshold under the new regime	Higher values attract duties.
Used Personal Belongings	Varies	Must be declared as personal use. Sender has to be the receiver in India and present at port of clearance with passport, ticket, boarding pass and tracking id number to claim this channel. Electronics, White goods and similar are treated as regular imports.

[Note: Items valued below ₹5,000 (excluding commercial goods) may qualify for reduced duty, but this depends on customs discretion. Always check the latest thresholds. Worthy to note that IGST is still applicable on the shipment since no GST has been applied on the items for consumption in India.]

For customs charges other than the ones listed above, please click the button below.

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