What Does an Import Clearing Agent Do?

In the big wheel of international shipping, clearing agents form one of the key cogs. Their duty is to see that the goods exported or imported pass through the customs clearing procedures. Hence the word ‘Clearing’ for the agent.

There are two segments in customs clearance - export customs clearance and import customs clearance. In this write-up, we shall see the role of an import clearing agent.

Goods imported into the country via the sea route, air or land route are first held at the designated warehouses of the customs authority for customs clearance. The goods are released only when the customs procedures are done. It is the duty of the importer to file all the procedures to secure the release of goods.

For an importer, more time the goods spent at the customs office more is the money lost. Thus, the filing of customs papers has to be done quickly. But the problem is, there is a tonne of paperwork to file which an average importer may not comprehend. They might get lost in the details and file incorrectly which further causes delays. It is here an import clearing agent helps.

Once an agent is hired, the importer can sit back and get the cargo from the seaport or airport with ease. The importing agent does the following things to secure the release of cargo from authorities:

When the cargo arrives at the port it is the duty of the importer to file a bill of entry in the Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System (ICEDIS). The bill includes duties or tariffs to be paid self-assessed by the importer. Then the duties are paid and the bill of entry is secured. On behalf of the importer, the clearing agent does all these activities.

The agent then shows the bill to the port authorities for securing the release of cargo from the port. Here an order permitting clearance is generated by the port authorities.

By showing this order to other port authorities, the goods can be taken from the port by the importer.

Though it appears simple, the task of filing customs is daunting. Data entered must be accurate and tariff assessment must be clear. Thus an expert clearing agent is necessary. For more details, please click here.