The How To Guide on Import Procedures

WHAT IS IMPORT?
An import is any good or commodity, brought into one country from another country in a legal fashion, typically for use in trade. Foreign producers provide import goods or services to domestic consumers. Import of commercial quantities of goods usually requires concern of the Customs authorities in both the country of import and the country of export. With the globalization of a trade and commerce & an economy consequent upon comfortable balance of payment position has liberalized the Import Policy and practically all Controls on imports have been lifted. Imports may be made freely except to the extent they are regulated by the provisions of Import Policy or by any other law for the time being in force.

Certain import procedures have to be followed for (IMPORT) the purpose of clearing goods to be imported. These procedures have been discussed below.
The person in-charge of a vessel, ship or aircraft entering India must call or land only at a Customs Port or a Customs Airport only. It may call or land at any other place only if compelled by accident, bad weather or due to some genuine unavoidable reason. In such a case, he must report to the nearest police station or custom officer of such emergency arrival.

The person in-charge of importing vessel, ship, aircraft or vehicle must submit within 24 hours after arrival at a Customs Area an Import Manifest or Import Report in the prescribed form in duplicate. This will give details of the import cargo to be unloaded, unaccompanied baggage, goods to be transshipped, retention cargo, details such as general declaration about the conveyance, stores on the conveyance, private property in possession of the Captain of the aircraft or Master of the ship and other members of crews and Passenger Manifest. Separate declaration, of the import contents, has to be given in respect of goods like arms, explosives, narcotics, dangerous drugs, gold and silver. The Import Manifest may be amended only with permission if there was no fraudulent intention. This report is not required if the conveyance is carrying only luggage of its occupants. Sometimes, filing of the Import Manifest is allowed before the arrival of the vessel by the Steamer Agents. This enables the import/importers to clear the import/imported goods quickly. If on the face of things, everything is found to be in order and berthing accommodation is available to the ship, the Customs Officer grants Entry Inwards. Unloading of cargo can start only after such order is made.

This is a lot of work. Filling out import documentation, going through all the formalities, etc. Not to mention that to import goods can be extremely frustrating. So what is a person to do if they want to import and sell the imports? Well you can find, we feel, the answer to this and many other questions.