Port clearance is a process that allows a ship to enter and depart from a port. When a ship arrives at a port, the captain or the ship's agent must request permission to enter the port by obtaining a port clearance. This process involves submitting various documents to the authorities at the port, such as the ship's registration and crew list, as well as paying any fees or charges that may be due. The authorities will then review the documents and, if everything is in order, issue a port clearance, which allows the ship to enter the port. The process of obtaining a port clearance is known as "obtaining plastique." When a ship is ready to depart from the port, the captain or the ship's agent must request permission to leave by obtaining a departure clearance. This process is similar to obtaining a port clearance, but it is typically simpler and faster since the ship has already been cleared to enter the port.


  • PROCEDURE FOR CLEARANCE OF IMPORTED GOODS

There are several steps involved in the clearance of imported goods:


  • Pre-shipment stage: This involves obtaining necessary import permits and licenses, arranging for import financing, and selecting a customs broker to handle the clearance process.
  • Arrival of goods at the port of entry: The imported goods must be declared to customs upon arrival. The customs authorities will assess the duties and taxes that are applicable to the goods and release them for transportation to a bonded warehouse or to the importer's premises.
  • Payment of duties and taxes: The importer must pay the applicable duties and taxes to customs before the goods can be released for transportation or delivery.
  • Clearance of goods from customs: Once the duties and taxes have been paid, the customs authorities will issue a release order for the goods, which allows them to be transported to their final destination.
  • Post-clearance audit: After the goods have been released, the customs authorities may conduct a post-clearance audit to verify that the correct duties and taxes have been paid and that all import requirements have been met.


It's worth noting that the specific steps and requirements for clearing imported goods can vary depending on the country of import and the type of goods being imported.

The following documents are also generally required along with the bill of entry filed by the importer or his representative in the non-EDI system:


The bill of entry is a document that is required to be filed by importers or their representatives when importing goods into a country. In addition to the bill of entry, there are usually a number of other documents that are required to be submitted along with it in the non-EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system. These documents may include:


  • Invoice: An invoice is a document that provides details of the goods being imported, including the quantity, value, and description of the goods.
  • Packing list: A packing list is a document that provides details of the goods being imported, including the quantity, weight, and dimensions of the packages.
  • Certificate of origin: A certificate of origin is a document that provides evidence of the country of origin of the goods being imported.
  • Health certificate: A health certificate is a document that provides evidence that the goods being imported meet the relevant health standards of the importing country.
  • Quality certificate: A quality certificate is a document that provides evidence that the goods being imported meet the relevant quality standards of the importing country.
  • Insurance certificate: An insurance certificate is a document that provides evidence of the insurance coverage for the goods being imported.


Any other documents required by the customs authorities of the importing country.

Signed invoice:-An invoice is a document that is issued by a seller to a buyer, detailing the goods or services that have been provided and the total amount due for payment. A signed invoice is one that has been physically or electronically signed by the person issuing the invoice, as a way of indicating their agreement with the contents of the document. The signature on a signed invoice can serve as a legal record of the transaction and may be required for various business or financial purposes.

Airway Bill(Bill of Lading or Delivery Order):- 

A bill of lading is a legal document that serves as a receipt for goods that have been shipped. It lists the details of the shipment, including the parties involved, the destination, and the terms of the transportation. A bill of lading also serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier, and it can be used as proof of ownership of the goods.


A delivery order, on the other hand, is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper that authorizes the release of the goods to the consignee (the person or entity receiving the goods). It is typically used when the goods are being shipped by sea or air, and it serves as proof that the carrier has fulfilled its obligation to deliver the goods to the specified destination.


Both a bill of lading and a delivery order serve as important documents in the logistics of shipping goods. However, a bill of lading is typically issued at the beginning of the shipping process, while a delivery order is issued at the end.

ATT declaration form duly filled in:- 

An ATT (Authorization to Transport) Declaration Form is a document that is used to declare that a person is authorized to transport a firearm across the border of Canada. It is required if a person is transporting a firearm into Canada or out of Canada, or if they are transiting through Canada with a firearm.

To complete the ATT Declaration Form, the person will need to provide information about themselves, including their name, date of birth, and address. They will also need to provide information about the firearm, including the make, model, and serial number. In addition, the person will need to declare whether the firearm is for personal use or for commercial purposes.

Once the form is completed, it should be submitted to the Canadian Firearms Program for processing. The person will need to pay a fee and may need to provide additional documentation, such as a firearms license or a permit to import or export firearms. It is important to note that the process of obtaining an ATT can take several weeks, so it is important to plan ahead if you are planning to transport a firearm across the border.

  • Importers/CHA’s declaration

An importer's or CHA's declaration is a document that contains information about the goods that are being imported into a country. It typically includes details such as the quantity, value, and origin of the goods, as well as the name and contact information of the importer or CHA (Customs House Agent). This declaration is usually required by customs authorities in order to assess the applicable duties and taxes on the imported goods, and to ensure that the goods are properly documented for customs purposes. The importer or CHA is responsible for providing accurate and complete information in the declaration, and for paying any applicable duties and taxes.


  • License wherever necessary
  • Letter of Credit/Bank Draft/wherever necessary
  • Insurance document
  • Industrial License, if required
  • Test report in case of chemicals
  • Adhoc exemption order
  • Catalogue, Technical write up, Literature in case of machinery, spares Etc.
  • chemicals as may be applicable
  • Separately split up value of spares, components machinery
  • Certificate of Origin, if preferential rate of duty is claimed


No Commission declaration:-

No Commission declaration is a statement that is made by an exporter or importer indicating that no commission or fee is being paid to a middleman or agent for facilitating a transaction. This declaration is often required by customs authorities or other regulatory agencies in order to ensure that all relevant taxes and duties are paid correctly and to prevent the evasion of these obligations. In general, a No Commission declaration is used to declare that the exporter or importer is acting on their own behalf and is not being compensated by a third party for their role in the transaction.


  • Present procedure of Clearance of goods at CFS

The procedure for clearance of goods at a Container Freight Station (CFS) typically involves the following steps:


  • Receiving and unloading of cargo: The CFS receives the containers carrying the goods, and the containers are unloaded from the vehicle and placed in the designated storage area.
  • Documentation: The CFS checks the documentation for the goods, including the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and other relevant documents.
  • Examination of goods: The CFS may conduct a physical examination of the goods to verify their nature and quantity.
  • Classification and assessment: The CFS classifies the goods as per the applicable customs tariff and assesses the duties and taxes applicable on the goods.
  • Payment of duties and taxes: The importer or their authorized agent pays the applicable duties and taxes to the customs authorities.
  • Release of goods: After the duties and taxes have been paid, the customs authorities release the goods and allow them to be cleared from the CFS.
  • Delivery of goods: The CFS arranges for the delivery of the cleared goods to the consignee or their designated agent.