What is Section 48 of Indian Customs Act.

Import container arrived at port of final destination without any notice to consignee. When does importer file Bill of Entry with customs to take delivery of goods? How to handle un cleared import container?

What happens, if cargo not cleared by importer copy Once goods arrived at port of discharges, the importer has to file Bill of Entry with customs department within 30 days of arrival of goods at port. Bill of Entry is the customs document to be filed for import clearance. If you do not file bill of entry within 30 days of arrival of goods, the custodian of cargo can resell goods after obtaining necessary permission from customs. The importer needs to be given notice by custodian in this regard about any such auction. However, the importer can obtain permission from customs and custodian of cargo to extend the period of auction. The request letter has to be filed within the period of 30 days of arrival of cargo.

So, any import container goods arrived at a destination customs location need to be arranged to complete import customs clearance procedures within 30 days of its arrival. A bill of Entry has to be filed along with other necessary import customs clearance documents to take delivery of goods.

Some time, consignee/importer may not know the arrival of such container at port of destination. The importer would not have received any Cargo Arrival Notice CAN from shipping carrier. The shipper/exporter also would have either not sent shipping advice or importer/buyer would have not tracked such shipment. So it is the duty of importer to track his import shipment for proper import delivery without delay.