It would be helpful to others as well if you dont mind sharing.
Regards
Great Idea. If you can put in your experience and guidance, we can make it a Sticky in the forum for others to refer.
Of course.
There are two ways one could import an item via Courier.
1. Personal as Gift
2. Commercial for resale.
Personal as Gift
When an invoice is marked as Gift/Personal Use Only, it's considered a Gift and attracts a flat 42.5% Customs and Duty including GST, etc.. This sort of import comes under the Courier Mode and is stored in the Courier complex of the Import locations airport. Usually, any courier like FedEx, DHL or India post will do the clearing on your behalf and they will assign a clearance agent from their side who will take care of everything. With my experience, DHL and Aramex are the best and FedEx, USPS the worst, although only with regard to Hyderabad and Bangalore airports.
This is usually the slowest way and there will be warehousing charges, based on the weight of the item and how long its been sitting in the courier warehouse. Apart from this, there will be some brokerage charges and customs advance charges (about 1%). Expect a few days to a week for clearance.
Documents you'll need is either AADHAAR or PAN card. No way around it.
Process ->
When the item reaches the airport for clearance, the Bill of Entry is filed (BE) is filed.
Document verification>>>>>>>Upload in ECCS in Tiff format>>>>>>customs Assessment>>>>> Marked for open exam >>>>> Assessment >>>Duty Payment>>>>>Retrieval >>>>>> X-Ray screening>>>>>Out of Charge >>>>>Gate Pass.
It can be tracked at
https://eicimobility.eccs.gov.in/eicimobility/import
Commercial
When an invoice is marked as merchandise, it's considered a commercial import and you need a whole bunch of stuff for clearance. In this mode, the duty will depend on rate set by CBIC. For speakers, it's around 28%.
Documents you'll need for this are IEC code from DGFT, AD code from Bank.
Now, the couriers will usually not clear merchandise as it's usually a lot of work and they prefer not to do it, although they can. DHL, for the most part, does it, FedEx a big No. In such cases, you hire a CHA (Customs House Agent) to do the clearance on your behalf. They take about 3 to 5k plus GST and are usually very good as they have high-level contacts at the airport and can get your shipment cleared in no time.
Under this mode, clearance occurs in Cargo Mode and items are stored in the Cargo Warehouse (Air Cargo Complex). Rules are very strict and the Bill of Entry has to be filed within 24 hours of the plane landing or else its 5000 fine per day. This also has warehousing charges.
The process is more or less the same but everything is automated. If everything is in order, there will be no officers interference and the system will clear your shipment in a day. Again, only speaking of Hyderabad and Bangalore airports.
It can be tracked at
https://enquiry.icegate.gov.in/enquiryatices/beTrackIces
More on the process for commercial imports in the attached file.
Coming to the import of Used items. Yes, it's possible through Personal mode as a Gift. Not possible through Commercial route. But be ready to wait more than a week and you need to produce original purchase invoice, bank remittance copy which will then be verified by the DC of customs and then cleared.
If there's any more queries please let me know.
[EDIT: Added File]
). But used electronic items are banned in India. Or is that like any individual who brings along a used electronic product within limites is allowed with due taxes paid and procedure followed? Little confusion as dont want to have friends and relatives in trouble at customs.
