Following documents are used in import procedure:
1. Trade Enquiry: Trade Enquiry is a written request by an importing firm to the exporter for supply of information regarding the price and various terms and conditions on which the exporter exports goods.
2. Performa Invoice: Performa Invoice is a document which contains details of quality, grade, design, size, weight and price of goods to be exported and the terms and conditions on which goods will be exported.
3. Indent: It is a document in which the importer orders for supply of requisite goods to the exporter and contains information on quantity and quality of goods, price to be charged, mode of forwarding the goods, type of packing and mode of payment etc.
4. Letter of Credit (L/C): A letter issued by an importer’s bank guaranteeing payment upon presentation of specified trade documents (Invoice, Bill of Lading, Inspection and Insurance Certificates, etc.).
5. Shipping Advice: It is a document which exporter sends to the importer informing that goods have been shipped giving details of name of the vessel with date,the port of export, description of goods and the quantity and the date of sailing etc
6. Bill of Lading (B/L): A document that establishes the terms and conditions of a contract between a shipper and a shipping company under which freight is to be moved between specified points for a specified charge. The B/L is negotiable or non- negotiable forms.
7. Bill of Entry: It is a form supplied by the customs office and filled by the importer once the goods are received. Bill of Entry is submitted at the customs office with information such as the name and address of the importer, name of the ship in which the goods were transported, number of packages, marks on the package, description of imported goods, quantity and value of the imported goods, name and address of the exporter, port of destination and customs duty payable.
8. Bill of Exchange: It is an order to the importer to pay a certain amount of money to, or to the order of, a certain person or to the bearer of the instrument. It may be sight draft or usance draft.
9. Import General Manifest: It is a document which contains the details of the imported goods. It is a document on the basis of which uploading of cargo takes place.
10. Sight Draft: It is a type of bill of exchange in which the drawer of bill of exchange instructs the bank to hand over the relevant documents to the importer only against payment.
11. Usance Draft: It is a type of bill of exchange in which the drawer of bill of exchange instructs the bank to hand over the relevant documents to the importer only against acceptance of the bill of exchange.
12. Dock Challan: When all formalities of customs are completed then dock charges are required to be paid. When he pays these charges, the importer or his clearing agent specifies the amount of dock dues in a challan or in any firm. It is called Dock Challan.
