Customs Clearance
Indian customs clearance for exports and imports — shipping bills, bills of entry, IEC compliance and ICEGATE filing handled so freight keeps moving.
Customs is where Indian freight most often stalls. A mismatch between the shipping bill and the invoice, an HS code that triggers additional scrutiny, a missing certificate — any of these can hold a container at JNPT or an airway shipment at BOM while demurrage and storage charges accumulate. Seemleius customs clearance prevents that: export and import documentation prepared correctly, filed on time, with classifications that hold up to examination.
India’s customs framework
Indian customs operates under the Customs Act 1962 and is administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Filings are made through ICEGATE, the national customs electronic data interchange gateway. Exporters file a shipping bill; importers file a bill of entry. Both documents must reconcile precisely with the commercial invoice, packing list, letter of credit (where applicable) and any commodity-specific licence or certificate. Getting this right the first time is what keeps freight moving.
What the service covers
Export clearance (shipping bill)
Shipping bill preparation, ICEGATE filing and liaison with the examining officer at the port or air cargo terminal.
Import clearance (bill of entry)
Bill of entry filing, duty calculation and payment coordination, and release from the port or airport.
HS code classification
Accurate commodity classification under the India Customs Tariff, reducing the risk of queries, reassessment and penalties.
Licences & permits
IEC verification, FSSAI, BIS and other commodity-specific approvals checked and coordinated before the shipment moves.
Commodity expertise
- Engineering goods, machinery and capital equipment (import and export)
- Pharmaceuticals and medical devices — CDSCO, Drug Controller and FSSAI requirements
- Chemicals under the Hazardous Waste Rules and import licences
- Food and agricultural products with FSSAI and phytosanitary certificates
- Textiles and garments under DGFT export promotion schemes (MEIS / RoDTEP)
How clearance works
- Submit the shipping documents. Commercial invoice, packing list, purchase order and any commodity certificates. We review for gaps before filing.
- Classification and valuation. The HS code is confirmed, the assessable value checked and the duty liability calculated accurately before submission.
- File and track. The shipping bill or bill of entry is filed on ICEGATE. We monitor the status and respond to any queries from the examining officer promptly.
- Confirm release. The shipment is cleared and the Let Export Order (LEO) or out-of-charge order confirmed. You are informed as each stage closes.
Standalone or within freight forwarding
Customs clearance is included when we manage your full shipment through our freight forwarding service. We also provide clearance as a standalone service for shipments you have arranged through another carrier. Either way, the standard is the same: documents that are complete the first time, classifications that hold up, and a coordinator who resolves queries before they become delays. Talk to us about your shipment and we will map the clearance requirements.
Questions people ask about this service
Anything not covered here? A specialist is happy to talk it through.
Contact usHow do I get a quote for this service?
Use the step-by-step quote form — it takes about a minute — or call us directly. Every quote is free, itemised and with no obligation.
Is my shipment insured?
Transit insurance is available on every service. Your coordinator will explain the cover options when quoting so you can choose what suits the shipment.
How far ahead should I book?
Two to four weeks is comfortable for most jobs, but we regularly handle urgent work. The sooner you reach out, the more flexibility you have on dates.
Do you handle the paperwork and customs?
Yes — where a service involves customs or documentation, we prepare and submit it on your behalf and keep you updated at each stage.
Will I have one point of contact?
Always. A dedicated coordinator owns your job from first quote to completion — no call centre, no being passed around.