Brief outline of the procedure for clearance of warehoused goods for home consumption:

In order to have a better understanding of the process of clearance of warehoused goods for home consumption, the following steps are relevant.

(1) The document of clearance of such warehoused goods is called ex-bond bill of entry. It is green in colour.

(2) It is filed in triplicate with the customs authorities at the place where the warehouse is situated.

(3) The particulars of ex-bond bill of entry, like bill of entry no. quantity and description of warehoused goods sought to be cleared, its quantity and value, tariff classification adopted are noted in the bond register and copy of into-bond bill of entry.

(4) The bill of entry is then assessed having regard to the provisions of section 15(1)(b) i.e. the rate of duty and tariff valuation in force on the date when bill of entry in respect of such goods is presented.

(5) In case any abatement is claimed under section 22(1)(c), the same is also examined.

(6) In the case of import licence regulations and other prohibitions on imports, the common sense law is that they are relevant to the date of actual importation into India. Subsequent changes in the import policy would not NORMALLY affect the warehoused goods. However the details of such changes if any would be applicable to the subject goods as a matter of abundant precaution.

(7) After assessment of the bill of entry namely; determination of the amount of duty, the duty and interest if any payable thereon would be paid to the customs.

(8) The goods would then be subjected to physical examination under section 17 to ensure that the goods proposed to be removed are in conformity with the declaration made in the ex-bond bill of entry particularly in respect of description of goods tariff classification, quantity and value.

(9) The owner of the goods would be required to get the amount of warehouse rent and other charges determined by the warehouse keeper and make necessary payment.

(10) The proper officer of customs would thereupon make the permitted clearance for home consumption order. The bill of entry copy with this order will be presented to the warehouse keeper.

(11) The warehouse keeper would make suitable entries in the stock card, warehouse register, into bond-bill of entry-wise file.

(12) The fact of actual removal of the warehoused goods will be communicated to the customs authorities concerned.