Operator-readable definitions for the customs, logistics, finance and regulatory terms used across Indian trade.
AD Code is authorised Dealer code registered with customs for export proceeds and banking linkage. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Advance Authorisation is dGFT scheme permitting duty-free import of inputs subject to export obligations and scheme conditions. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Air Waybill is carrier-issued air cargo document recording shipment, routing and handling particulars. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Assessable Value is customs value used as the base for calculating applicable import duties and cesses. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Authorised Economic Operator is cBIC trade facilitation programme recognising entities that meet prescribed supply-chain security and compliance standards. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Bill of Entry is import declaration filed with Indian Customs containing classification, valuation, origin and duty particulars. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Bill of Lading is carrier document evidencing receipt and carriage terms for ocean freight. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Bonded Warehouse is customs-controlled facility where eligible imported goods may be stored with duty deferred. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
CAROTAR is customs Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements Rules governing importer origin due diligence. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
CBIC is central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, the authority administering customs and indirect tax policy. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Certificate of Origin is document supporting the declared country of origin and, where applicable, preferential tariff eligibility. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
CFS is container Freight Station handling consolidation, deconsolidation and customs-linked cargo operations away from a port terminal. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
CHA is customs Broker, historically called a Customs House Agent, licensed to transact customs work for clients. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
CIF is incoterm value basis covering cost, insurance and freight to the named port of destination. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Commercial Invoice is seller document stating goods, value, currency, parties and commercial terms for the transaction. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Container Demurrage is charge associated with a container remaining within a port or terminal beyond allowed free time. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Container Detention is carrier charge associated with retaining container equipment beyond allowed free time outside the terminal. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Customs Duty is statutory levy applied to imported or exported goods according to classification, value, origin and applicable notifications. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Customs Valuation is process of establishing the value of goods for customs purposes under applicable valuation rules. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Dangerous Goods is cargo classified as hazardous and subject to specialised declaration, packing, marking and carriage requirements. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
DGFT is directorate General of Foreign Trade, responsible for India’s foreign trade policy and licensing framework. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Drawback is refund or remission mechanism for eligible duties associated with inputs used in exported goods. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
e-BRC is electronic Bank Realisation Certificate recording export proceeds realised through an authorised dealer bank. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
e-Invoice is gST invoice reported to an Invoice Registration Portal and assigned an Invoice Reference Number. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
e-Sanchit is iCEGATE facility for uploading and associating supporting documents with customs declarations. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
e-Way Bill is electronic document required for specified movement of goods under GST rules. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
ECCS is express Cargo Clearance System used for electronic customs processing of courier consignments. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
ECL is electronic Cash Ledger used for depositing and using funds for eligible customs payments. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
EDPMS is export Data Processing and Monitoring System used by banks and regulators to monitor export realisation. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Export General Manifest is carrier manifest reporting export cargo loaded or departed, supporting closure of the export movement. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
FCL is full Container Load, where cargo is booked for the use of an entire container. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
FIRA is foreign Inward Remittance Advice issued by a bank as evidence of an inward foreign-currency receipt. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
FIRC is foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, a bank certificate evidencing qualifying foreign inward remittance. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Free Time is contractual period before demurrage, detention or related time-based charges begin. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
FTA is free Trade Agreement providing negotiated tariff or trade treatment subject to origin and other conditions. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
GSTN is goods and Services Tax Network, the technology network supporting India’s GST ecosystem. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
HS Code is harmonized System code used internationally to classify traded goods. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
ICEGATE is indian Customs Electronic Gateway supporting declarations, documents, status messages and connected customs services. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
IEC is importer Exporter Code issued by DGFT and generally required for commercial import or export activity. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
IGM is import General Manifest filed by the carrier to report arriving vessel or aircraft cargo. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Incoterms is iCC trade terms allocating specified delivery tasks, costs and risks between seller and buyer. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
ITC-HS is india’s trade classification based on the Harmonized System and used for import and export policy. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Landed Cost is total cost of bringing goods to a defined point, typically combining purchase, freight, insurance, duty and other charges. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Let Export Order is customs permission allowing cleared export goods to be loaded for departure. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Letter of Credit is bank undertaking to pay against compliant presentation of documents under stated terms. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
NVOCC is non-vessel-operating common carrier contracting ocean carriage without operating the vessel. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Out of Charge is customs release milestone permitting imported goods to leave customs control after applicable requirements are met. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Packing List is document detailing packages, quantities, weights, dimensions and marks for a shipment. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
PGA is participating Government Agency responsible for regulatory approvals or referrals for controlled goods. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Preferential Origin is origin status established under a trade agreement to claim eligible preferential tariff treatment. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
RMS is risk Management System used by customs to route declarations for facilitation, assessment, examination or intervention. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
SCMTR is sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations governing electronic arrival, departure and transhipment reporting. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
SCOMET is india’s list of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies subject to export controls. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Shipping Bill is export declaration filed with Indian Customs for clearance and export of goods. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
SWIFT is single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade, routing customs-linked regulatory referrals to participating agencies. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
TEU is twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, a standard measure of container capacity. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
ULIP is unified Logistics Interface Platform enabling authorised data exchange across Indian logistics systems. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Valuation Query is customs request seeking clarification or evidence regarding the declared value or related valuation elements. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Warehouse Bill of Entry is declaration used for eligible imported goods intended for deposit in a bonded warehouse. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
Wharfage is charge levied by a port or terminal for use of wharf facilities or cargo handling space. In an EXIM workflow, the exact legal effect depends on the transaction, governing rule, current notification and supporting evidence; operators should verify the applicable primary source before acting.
