For shipments to India, the importer's identity has to be printed on the Bill of Lading itself, in an exact, machine-readable format. Otherwise Indian Customs can't manifest it, and the cargo gets held. It's a small text string that causes big delays when it's wrong. Nexport Logistics makes sure the declaration is correct on the B/L before the box ships, in the Nexportal platform.
The three details, in the exact format
Since 1 April 2018, every Bill of Lading for cargo to India must carry, in the "Description of goods" column on the first page, the importer's:
- IEC: Import & Export Code
- GSTIN: GST Identification Number
- E-mail: the importer's official e-mail (used by the line and customs for correspondence)
It must be written in this exact structure; the # and ; are not decoration, they're what the Import General Manifest (IGM) system reads:
Importer - IEC#(IEC Code);GSTIN#(GSTIN CODE);Email#(Email_id);
Get the punctuation wrong and the system can't pick up the data. Same effect as not declaring it.
Why India insists on it
Two reasons: to stop hazardous and restricted waste being imported under non-existent importers, and to speed up clearance, including enabling Direct Port Delivery (DPD) stacking codes. It's a traceability rule with a customs-flow benefit.
SCMTR and the 72-hour deadline
Under the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), the manifest/CSN data has to be filed at least 72 hours before the departure of the last port of call. A few extra points that catch people out:
- The consignee IEC must appear on both the MBL and the HBL. If the IEC isn't on the MBL consignee, the PAN of the consignee should be shown — but the IEC on the HBL is a must.
- GST and e-mail of the consignee are required on both MBL and HBL.
- If the consignee is "TO ORDER" / "TO ORDER OF SHIPPER" / a BANK, then the PAN and IEC of the Notify party must be present.
What non-compliance costs
Missing or mis-formatted details mean manifest amendments with heavy fines and penalties from Indian Customs, and the cargo may not be loaded, or the original Bill of Lading is held back. One line of text on the draft B/L decides whether the container rolls through the Indian port or sits there while you pay for amendments.
How Nexport Logistics handles it
We collect the IEC, GSTIN and e-mail in advance, put them on the Bill of Lading in the exact required format (on MBL and HBL, with PAN/Notify handled for "to order" B/Ls), and make sure the SCMTR filing is in before the 72-hour cut-off, so your India shipment manifests cleanly. It runs with your B/L, Customs and booking in Nexportal.
Shipping to India? Email info@nexportlogistics.nl.
Sources: ONE — Mandatory declaration of GSTIN, IEC and e-mail of importer on B/Ls; India SCMTR (Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, CBIC). Related: Customs · Bill Of Lading · Shipping Documents