The goods must be cleared from the customs before these can be loaded on the ship. For obtaining customs clearance, the exporter prepares the shipping bill which contains particulars of the goods being exported, the name of the vessel, the port at which goods are to be discharged, country of final destination, exporter’s name and address, etc.
Five copies of the shipping bill along with the following documents are then submitted to the Customs Appraiser at the Customs House for clearance:
1. Export Contract or Export Order
2. Letter of Credit
3. Commercial Invoice
4. Certificate of Origin
5. Certificate of Inspection, where necessary
6. Marine Insurance Policy
After submission of these documents the superintendent of the concerned port trust is approached for carting order and after obtaining it, the Cargo is physically moved into the port area and stored in shed.
