Confirm the Indian importer before asking for a shipment date
Name the Indian importer of record and customs broker in the enquiry. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade states that an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) is mandatory for import or export activity unless a stated exemption applies. Confirm the importer’s active IEC, legal name, billing and delivery addresses, GST details where applicable, ICEGATE readiness and authorised customs contact. VEYRA does not issue or validate an Indian IEC; the importer should confirm its own eligibility and current registration status before cargo is booked.
Freeze the product description, grade and customs basis
Do not let “Bitumen 60/70” stand as the complete customs or purchase description. Attach the project specification and revision, intended use, packing format, net quantity and destination. Ask the Indian importer or its broker to confirm the current Customs Tariff Heading, applicable duty and tax treatment, and any supporting document or Participating Government Agency requirement for the actual product. Do not copy a tariff code, standard or regulatory condition from another grade or an earlier shipment without a current destination-side check.
Build the Indian customs document set around the Bill of Entry
DGFT lists the transport document, Commercial Invoice cum Packing List and Bill of Entry as the core mandatory documents for importing goods into India, while separate invoice and packing list documents are also accepted. ICEGATE explains that supporting documents are uploaded through e-SANCHIT and their image reference numbers are entered in the Bill of Entry. Agree who supplies each document, the exact consignee and notify-party wording, document cut-off dates and the review route before originals or final electronic files are issued. Commodity-specific documents may still be required after the importer checks the current compliance requirements.
Reconcile product, packing and container evidence
Keep the contract specification and technical data sheet separate from shipment evidence. For the nominated cargo, agree the batch COA or laboratory report, inspection scope, packing list, drum count, net and gross weights, container and seal numbers, loading record and Verified Gross Mass process. The batch or lot reference should be traceable across the agreed quality and packing records. Review the pre-shipment inspection checklist and the drum weight and VGM guide before approving the document matrix.
Create a Mundra landed-cost sheet without guessing local charges
Separate the quoted product, packing, inland movement, loading, inspection, ocean freight and insurance from destination-side charges. Ask the Indian importer or broker to price current customs duty and taxes, port or terminal charges, shipping-line local charges, customs clearance, examination if ordered, delivery order, container haulage, storage, demurrage and detention. State the quotation date, validity and named Incoterms® rule and place. The Mundra operator publishes tariff booklets with effective dates; use the tariff that applies to the actual terminal, service and shipment date rather than copying a headline charge into the cost model.
Use three control points before arrival
Before booking, confirm importer readiness, product description, specification, packing, destination terminal and commercial scope. Before loading, approve the proposed batch evidence, inspection instructions, package schedule, container plan and draft shipping-document data. Before arrival, reconcile final shipping documents, e-SANCHIT references and Bill of Entry preparation with the importer or broker, then confirm destination payment and delivery arrangements. Record open items with an owner and deadline; do not treat a vessel ETA as evidence that customs preparation is complete.
RFQ wording for a Mundra-bound bitumen shipment
Add this to the enquiry: “Product: Bitumen [60/70 or 80/100]. Governing specification and revision: [reference]. Net quantity and packing: [details]. Indian importer legal name and IEC status: [details]. Destination: Mundra, India; nominated terminal if known: [details]. Delivery basis and named place: [FOB/CFR/CIF and place]. Required shipment window: [dates]. Required product, inspection, packing and shipping documents: [list]. Consignee and notify-party wording: [details]. Destination broker and document cut-off: [details]. Please separate included, excluded and destination-confirmed costs.” Review the Bitumen 60/70 page or Bitumen 80/100 page, review the India market brief, then send the Mundra enquiry. Availability and commercial terms remain order-specific.
Official sources and scope — reviewed 2 November 2026
Sources reviewed: the DGFT Foreign Trade Policy, Chapter 2 for IEC and core import documents; the ICEGATE official FAQ for e-SANCHIT and Bill of Entry supporting-document workflow; and the Mundra operator’s current tariff downloads for effective-dated terminal tariff publications. This guide does not assign a customs code, calculate Indian duty or tax, promise clearance, or quote a live freight or product price. The Indian importer and appointed broker must confirm the rules, documents and charges applicable to the actual shipment.