Import guide · Stage 10 of 10 · The Last Mile
Import Stage 10: receive the goods, and close the shipment well
Five stations between customs clearance and goods on your shelf. Confirm clearance, settle the charges, move the goods, check them on arrival and close the file. Clear each hurdle, earn each badge, and finish your journey as a Master Importer. Prefer reading? Use the plain guide button.
Your rank
Dock Cadet
Tap a station to open it. Clear each hurdle to earn its badge and unlock the next.
Confirm customs has cleared the goods for home use
Station 1 of 5 · Badge: Clearance Checker
Confirm customs has cleared the goods for home use
Duty paid and the goods cleared. Your agent holds the proof.
What you do
- Duty paid
- Out of Charge given
- Copy of the Bill of Entry
- Delivery order from the line
Keep these ready
- Bill of Entry with Out of Charge
- Duty payment proof
- Delivery order
Watch out
- Moving the goods before Out of Charge.
- No copy of the Bill of Entry.
Pro tip
Do not let the goods leave the port or terminal until your agent confirms clearance.
Full details for this station
Before anything moves, check that customs clearance is complete and that you hold the copies.
How to do it
- Ask your Customs House Agent to confirm that the Bill of Entry has been cleared and the Out of Charge? given.
- Get a copy of the assessed Bill of Entry and the duty payment proof.
- Check the values, the HS code and the duty against your own workings.
- Ask your agent about the delivery order from the shipping line or the airline.
- Keep every copy in one file.
Documents to keep ready
- Bill of Entry with Out of Charge
- Duty payment proof
- Delivery order
What the documents must show
- Clearance record
- Bill of Entry number and date, duty paid, Out of Charge date, delivery order number.
Time and cost
- Check: the day clearance completes.
Where people get stuck
- Moving the goods before Out of Charge.
- No copy of the Bill of Entry.
Settle the port, terminal and line charges, and take delivery
Station 2 of 5 · Badge: Charges Cleared
Settle the port, terminal and line charges, and take delivery
Delay costs money. Know the charges and the free time.
What you do
- Terminal handling and storage
- Shipping line charges
- Detention and demurrage
- Free time
Keep these ready
- Charges statement
- Receipts
- Gate-out document
Watch out
- Free time ending before transport is arranged.
- Charges not queried before payment.
Pro tip
Book the truck before the clearance finishes, so it can move at once.
Full details for this station
After clearance, every day of delay can add charges. Plan the pick-up.
How to do it
- Ask your agent or forwarder for a statement of port and line charges.
- Check what free time you have for the container, and when it ends.
- Pay what is due and get receipts.
- Book the transport for the same day as the delivery order.
- Keep the gate-out papers.
Documents to keep ready
- Charges statement
- Receipts
- Gate-out document
What the documents must show
- Charges list
- Charge, amount, due date, paid on, receipt number.
Time and cost
- Pick-up: as soon as clearance and delivery order are in hand.
Where people get stuck
- Free time ending before transport is arranged.
- Charges not queried before payment.
Move the goods safely to your premises
Station 3 of 5 · Badge: Delivery Driver
Move the goods safely to your premises
Check the vehicle, the seal and the papers before the goods leave.
What you do
- Vehicle and driver details
- Container seal intact
- Gate pass
- Transit insurance
Keep these ready
- Delivery order
- Gate pass
- Transport receipt
Watch out
- Seal number differs from the papers.
- No cover for the road journey.
Pro tip
Photograph the seal and the container before it leaves the port.
Full details for this station
The goods are still at risk until they reach you. Keep them covered.
How to do it
- Give the transporter the delivery order and gate pass.
- Check the container seal against the papers before it leaves.
- Note the vehicle and driver details.
- Check your insurance covers the inland journey.
- Ask the transporter to inform you of the arrival time.
Documents to keep ready
- Delivery order
- Gate pass
- Transport receipt
What the documents must show
- Transport note
- Vehicle number, driver, container, seal, departure time, expected arrival.
Time and cost
- Journey: as per distance.
Where people get stuck
- Seal number differs from the papers.
- No cover for the road journey.
Inspect the goods when they arrive
Station 4 of 5 · Badge: Careful Receiver
Inspect the goods when they arrive
Check quantity and condition before you sign.
What you do
- Count against the packing list
- Check condition
- Note damage on the receipt
- Photographs
Keep these ready
- Packing list
- Delivery receipt
- Photographs
Watch out
- Signing a clean receipt for damaged goods.
- No photographs.
Pro tip
If something looks wrong, stop and photograph before moving anything.
Full details for this station
Your signature says the goods arrived in good order. Check first.
How to do it
- Open in the presence of the driver, if possible.
- Count against the packing list.
- Check the condition and quality against your order.
- Note any shortage or damage on the delivery receipt before you sign.
- Photograph the goods and the packing.
Documents to keep ready
- Packing list
- Delivery receipt
- Photographs
What the documents must show
- Receipt remark
- Plain words: quantity short by 2 cartons, 3 cartons wet, as seen on opening.
Time and cost
- Check: on delivery.
Where people get stuck
- Signing a clean receipt for damaged goods.
- No photographs.
Close the shipment: claims, records and learning
Station 5 of 5 · Badge: Journey Complete
Close the shipment: claims, records and learning
Keep your records, raise any claim, and note what to improve.
What you do
- Claims in time
- Keep records
- Pay the supplier balance, if any
- Note what to improve next time
Keep these ready
- Full shipment file
Watch out
- Claim deadlines missed.
- Papers scattered.
Pro tip
We would love to hear how your shipment went. A message or a call is all it takes.
Full details for this station
A well-kept file helps at audit, at the next shipment and with any claim.
How to do it
- Raise any claim with the insurer, the carrier or the supplier without delay, with the papers.
- Keep the full set of documents in one place, as the law requires you to retain records. Ask your Customs House Agent or us how long.
- Settle any balance with the supplier through your authorised dealer bank.
- Note the delays and charges, and what you would change next time.
- Tell us how it went, and what you would like to import next.
Documents to keep ready
- Full shipment file
What the documents must show
- Shipment review
- Order number, dates, charges, problems, lessons, supplier rating.
Time and cost
- Closing: within a week of delivery.
Where people get stuck
- Claim deadlines missed.
- Papers scattered.
Words used on this page
Questions people ask
How long should I keep import records?
Ask your Customs House Agent, or ask us. The period is set by law.
What if the goods are short or damaged?
Record it on the receipt, photograph it, and tell the insurer and the carrier promptly.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is practical guidance. Confirm the rules on the official Government sites.
Can you help with my next import?
Yes. We are just a call and a message away, every step of the way.
Want help with your next import?
Tell us what you want to import. We will walk you through every step. It is just a call and a message away.
Message us on WhatsAppCall +91 98230 14118Office (backup): +91 93733 11838
Last checked: 12 November 2026. Customs matters are governed by the Customs Act, 1962 (CBIC). Rules change, so confirm on the official Government sites.