Business Tools for Importers

Term	Meaning
AD Code	Authorised Dealer Code (bank code registered with Customs)
AWB	Air Waybill
BL	Bill of Lading
BOE	Bill of Entry
CCR	Compulsory Compliance Requirements
CI	Commercial Invoice
EPR	Extended Producer Responsibility
ETA	Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD	Estimated Time of Departure
FTA	Free Trade Agreement
HSN	Harmonised System of Nomenclature (tariff code)
ICEGATE	Indian Customs Electronic Gateway
IEC	Importer Exporter Code
IGM	Import General Manifest
Incoterms	International Commercial Terms
LMPC	Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) compliance
PI	Proforma Invoice
PO	Purchase Order
SOB	Shipped on Board
SWIFT	Bank wire transfer confirmation message

Finalise Incoterms with the supplier Verify validity of IEC, AD Code and ICEGATE registration Confirm whether the product is covered under any exclusion list Check whether the country of origin has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Economic Partnership Agreement with India Determine the import policy status — freely importable, restricted/licensed, canalised or prohibited Confirm the HSN classification Ascertain applicable Customs duties Identify Compulsory Compliance Requirements (CCR) — BIS, WPC, FSSAI, CDSCO, EPR as applicable Verify LMPC (Legal Metrology) compliance requirements Assess applicability of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Decide who bears intermediary bank charges — importer or supplier Finalise bank forex markup, bank commission, bank charges and related costs

Send the Purchase Order (PO) to the supplier Receive the Proforma Invoice (PI) from the supplier Prepare the bank forex outward remittance request Submit the outward remittance request to the bank Forward the SWIFT copy received from the bank to the supplier Reconcile the exchange rate against the agreed bank forex markup, commission and charges Obtain shipment-readiness confirmation from the supplier Book and coordinate the shipment as per the agreed Incoterms Confirm insurance cover Receive ETD and ETA information Check and confirm the Commercial Invoice (CI) draft and packing list Check and confirm the Bill of Lading / Air Waybill draft and the Certificate of Origin Receive the Shipped on Board (SOB) confirmation Send shipment details to the Customs Broker together with CCR requirements Receive the import checklist from the Customs Broker Confirm the import checklist with the Customs Broker Customs Broker files the Bill of Entry (BOE) before ETA Confirm the Import General Manifest (IGM) and delivery schedule Assessment, Customs duty payment and examination of goods via the Customs Broker Take delivery from Customs Receive goods at the warehouse Submit BOE, CI, BL/AWB and SWIFT copy with covering letter to the banker for regularisation Obtain the banker's acknowledgement / confirmation of BOE–remittance regularisation

Send the Purchase Order (PO) to the supplier Receive the Proforma Invoice (PI) from the supplier Confirm the PI Obtain shipment-readiness confirmation from the supplier Book and coordinate the shipment as per the agreed Incoterms Check insurance cover Receive ETD and ETA information Check and confirm the Commercial Invoice (CI) draft and packing list Check and confirm the Bill of Lading / Air Waybill draft and the Certificate of Origin Receive the Shipped on Board (SOB) confirmation Send shipment details to the Customs Broker together with CCR requirements Receive the import checklist from the Customs Broker Confirm the import checklist with the Customs Broker Customs Broker files the Bill of Entry (BOE) before ETA Confirm the Import General Manifest (IGM) and delivery schedule Assessment, Customs duty payment and examination of goods via the Customs Broker Take delivery from Customs Receive goods at the warehouse Prepare the bank forex outward remittance request in line with the credit terms Submit outward remittance request to the bank with BOE, CI, BL/AWB and covering letter for regularisation Forward the SWIFT copy received from the bank to the supplier Reconcile the exchange rate against the agreed bank forex markup, commission and charges Obtain the banker's acknowledgement / confirmation of BOE–remittance regularisation