Processing of Shipping Bill - EDI:Under EDI System, declarations in prescribed
format are to be filed through the Service Centers of Customs. A checklist is generated
for verification of data by the exporter/CHA. After verification, the data is submitted
to the System by the Service Center operator and the System generates a Shipping
Bill Number, which is endorsed on the printed checklist and returned to the exporter/CHA.
For export items which are subject to export cess, the TR-6 challans for cess is
printed and given by the Service Center to the exporter/CHA immediately after submission
of shipping bill. The cess can be paid on the strength of the challan at the designated
bank. No copy of shipping bill is made available to exporter/CHA at this stage.
Arrival of Goods at Docks:On the basis of examination and inspection goods are allowed
enter into the Dock. At this stage the port authorities check the quantity of the
goods with the documents.
System Appraisal of Shipping Bills:In most of the cases, a Shipping Bill is processed
by the system on the basis of declarations made by the exporters without any human
intervention. Sometimes the Shipping Bill is also processed on screen by the Customs
Officer.
Customs Examination of Export Cargo:Customs Officer may verify the quantity of the
goods actually received and enter into the system and thereafter mark the Electronic
Shipping Bill and also hand over all original documents to the Dock Appraiser of
the Dock who many assign a Customs Officer for the examination and intimate the
officers' name and the packages to be examined, if any, on the check list and return
it to the exporter or his agent.The Customs Officer may inspect/examine the shipment
along with the Dock Appraiser. The Customs Officer enters the examination report
in the system. He then marks the Electronic Bill along with all original documents
and check list to the Dock Appraiser. If the Dock Appraiser is satisfied that the
particulars entered in the system conform to the description given in the original
documents and as seen in the physical examination, he may proceed to allow "let
export" for the shipment and inform the exporter or his agent.
Stuffing / Loading of Goods in Containers the exporter or export agent hand over
the exporter's copy of the shipping bill signed by the Appraiser "Let Export" to
the steamer agent. The agent then approaches the proper officer for allowing the
shipment. The Customs Preventive Officer supervising the loading of container and
general cargo in to the vessel may give "Shipped on Board" approval on the exporter's
copy of the shipping bill.
Drawal of Samples:Where the Appraiser Dock (export) orders for samples to be drawn
and tested, the Customs Officer may proceed to draw two samples from the consignment
and enter the particulars thereof along with details of the testing agency in the
ICES/E system. There is no separate register for recording dates of samples drawn.
Three copies of the test memo are prepared by the Customs Officer and are signed
by the Customs Officer and Appraising Officer on behalf of Customs and the exporter
or his agent. The disposal of the three copies of the test memo is as follows:-
- Original - to be sent along with the sample to the test agency.
- Duplicate - Customs copy to be retained with the 2nd
sample.
- Triplicate - Exporter's copy.
The Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner if he considers necessary, may also
order for sample to be drawn for purpose other than testing such as visual inspection
and verification of description, market value inquiry, etc.
Export of Goods under Claim for Drawback:After actual export of the goods, the Drawback
claim is processed through EDI system by the officers of Drawback Branch on first
come first served basis without feeling any separate form.
Generation of Shipping Bills:The Shipping Bill is generated by the system in two
copies- one as Custom copy and one as exporter copy. Both the copies are then signed
by the Custom officer and the Custom House Agent.
Importance of Marking & Labeling
An important stage after manufacturing of goods or their procurement is their preparation
for shipment which involves packaging and labelling of goods to be exported. Proper
packaging and labelling not only makes the final product look attractive but also
save a huge amount of money by saving the product from wrong handling the export
process.Packaging the primary role of packaging is to contain, protect and preserve
a product as well as aid in its handling and final presentation. Packaging also
refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. The packaging
can be done within the export company or the job can be assigned to an outside packaging
company. Packaging provides following benefits to the goods to be exported:
- Physical Protection - Packaging provides protection against shock, vibration,
temperature, moisture and dust.
- Containment or agglomeration - Packaging provides agglomeration of small objects
into one package for reason of efficiency and cost factor. For example it is better
to put 1000 pencils in one box rather than putting each pencil in separate 1000
boxes.
- Marketing: Proper and attractive packaging play an important role in encouraging
a potential buyer.• Convenience - Packages can have features which add convenience
in distribution, handling, display, sale, opening, use, and reuse.
- Security - Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks
of shipment. It also provides authentication seals to indicate that the package
and contents are not counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices,
such as dye-packs, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance tags, that can
be activated or detected by devices at exit points and require specialized tools
to deactivate. Using packaging in this way is a means of loss prevention.
Labeling like packaging, labeling should also be done with extra care. It is also
important for an exporter to be familiar with all kinds of sign and symbols and
should also maintain all the nationally and internationally standers while using
these symbols. Labelling should be in English, and words indicating country of origin
should be as large and as prominent as any other English wording on the package
or label.
Labelling on product provides the following important information:
- Shipper's mark
- Country of origin
- Weight marking (in pounds and in kilograms)
- Number of packages and size of cases (in inches and
centimeters)
- Handling marks (international pictorial symbols)
- Cautionary markings, such as "This Side Up."
- Port of entry
- Labels for hazardous materials
Labelling of a product also provides information like how to use, transport, recycle
or dispose of the package or product. With pharmaceuticals , food medical and chemical
products, some types of information are required by governments.
It is better to choose a fast dyes for labelling purpose. Only fast dyes should
be used for labeling. Essential data should be in black and subsidiary data in a
less conspicuous colour; red and orange and so on. For food packed in sacks, only
harmless dyes should be employed, and the dye should not come through the packing
in such a way as to affect the goods.