Customs and Central Excise in India ICEGATE, or Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data Interchange (EC/EDI) Gateway, is a website with over 8500 users. This business site was intended to meet the demands of traders and cargo using e-filing services. This is also employed to assist India’s customs department’s customers.

The Department’s infrastructure initiative for EC/EDI and data communication is called ICEGATE. The Department uses communication tools (Email, Web-upload, and FTP) that are typically used on the internet to provide support, such as Shipping Bills (export goods declaration), electronic filing of Bills of Entry (import goods declaration), and other associated electronic messages between Customs along with the Trading Partners. 

This service is used by airlines and shipping companies to submit manifests, while keepers and cargo logistics firms use ICEGATE to exchange information with Customs EDI regarding cargo and logistics. Additionally, information is shared between Customs and other governing and regulating organizations like the DGFT, RBI, Ministry of Steel, and DGCIS. Additionally, services are provided for the National Import Database (NIDB) and the Export Commodity Database (ECDB) for the Department of Valuation.

The Indian Customs EDI System, currently operating at 134 customs locations, processes every electronic document and communication that ICEGATE handles at the customs end. All customs locations have been moved to converged infrastructure housed at the Data Center by connecting them through MPLS-based WAN as part of the Department’s ongoing infrastructure centralization effort.

Allied Services

  • In addition to e-filing, ICEGATE offers other services like electronic payments, online IPR registration, online DEPB/DES/EPCG license verification, Document Tracking status at Customs EDI, IE code status, PAN-based CHA data, and links to other crucial websites and resources for the customs industry.
  • It offers its trading partners a support desk that is open around the clock.
  • The system utilizes digital signatures to sign the Bill of Entry and other documents and communications processed on the Gateway for secure filing.

Advantages of ICEGATE

  • The export and import statements can be electronically filed through the ICEGATE Portal.
  • After examining the shipping documents and bills of entry, customs can reply to importers and exporters using the Portal.
  • By serving as a Certification Authority under the IT Act of 2000, it makes sure that the declaration submitted using digital signatures is assigned by customs and won’t be rendered invalid.

Registration for ICEGATE

Bills of Entry, shipping bills, and other papers can be filed using ICEGATE. The registration link is located on the home screen of the ICEGATE portal; a user must log in before clicking it. The applicant must fill out the registration form on the screen to register with the Portal. The following activities can be completed after enrolling in the Portal.

  • Exports
  • Imports
  • Import General Manifest (IGM)
  • Export General Manifest (EGM)
  • Consol Manifest

Facility for Filing Papers

This Portal allows all exporters, importers, custom house agents, airlines, shipping agencies, and trade members to submit paperwork. For now, trade members have access to the ability to submit papers via service centres and diskette submission.

ICEGATE’s Simple Auto Registration

The official website created by the government is called ICEGATE. It provides both importers and exporters with a range of facilities. However, a digital signature, PAN verification, plus extra approval are needed for ordinary ICEGATE registration.

A new streamlined auto registration tool is made available to streamline the ICEGATE registration process and encourage more importers and exporters to register on ICEGATE. According to the streamlined process, ICEGATE registration can be obtained without a digital signature certificate or the upload of any extra papers.

What benefits come from accessing the ICEGATE Portal?

The Customs Department is now far more accountable, thanks to the launch of the ICEGATE portal. This has also assisted the Customs department in reducing complaints about the delivery of consignments from both the importers’ and exporters’ ends.

The following are some additional advantages of the ICEGATE portal:

  • The website facilitates the electronic submission of import and export declarations.
  • After Shipping bills and Bills of Entry are evaluated, customs respond to importers and exporters.
  • It will assist importers and exporters in accessing and following the document’s online status.
  • This Portal is incredibly helpful for asking questions and getting quick answers.

ICEGATE supports everyone who uses the Customs Department to track the material and location status of such invoices, including freight carriers, traders, and other users. These folks will gain from this so that they can use the Portal to benefit their enterprises. With this knowledge, one can decide on our invoice discount services and raise the money required to satisfy the need for working capital. One might acquire the cash at the appealing payback conditions and utilize the outstanding invoices.

Entry Bill through ICEGATE

What does a Bill of Entry mean?

To complete the customs clearance process, a Bill of Entry must be sent to the customs authorities utilizing ICEGATE. The importer, clearing house agent, or CHA files this. Importers can claim the ITC on products after the bill of entry is again filed or before the goods arrive.

ICEGATE Bill of Lading

Indian traders must provide legal documentation to the customs authorities via ICEGATE to approve the goods before shipping them to foreign countries. The shipping bill must include the specifics of the exported items, their worth, the seller and buyer’s names, and the tax information that the sender covered. This makes it easier to claim the duty drawback, additional fees, and duties.

You May also Like: How to Start Export Business in India 2023 | Detailed Guide

Conclusion

The ICEGATE portal is used to support an infrastructure project that supports the fulfilment of the Customs Department’s Electronic Commerce or Electronic Data Exchange requirements and Data Communication needs. Statistics show that the platform has aided over 6.72 lakh exporters and importers. It is also linked to 15 distinct sorts of partners who cooperate with Customs EDI for message transmission. This also expedites some clearance from Customs. This will also facilitate different electronic services, such as the e – filing of the Bill of Entry and the Shipping Bill.

FAQs

  1. Is it required to use a mail ID enrolled with said ICEGATE portal to file documents?

No, using a mail ID registered with the ICEGATE portal to file papers is not essential. 

  1. How many people have registered on ICEGATE?

There must be 43542 registered ICEGATE users as of 2021.

  1. Can customs fees be paid online?

You can use the ICEGATE website to pay your customs duty online. On the platform, 20 different banks are accessible.

  1. Who is eligible for the IGST refund?

An individual whose shipping invoice has been verified against GST returns.

  1. What distinguishes the Bill of Lading from the Bill of Entry?

This Bill of Entry is created by exporters or importers and contains information about the shipping documents used. At the same time, shippers generate the Bill of Landing, which includes information about the products transported to another nation.

  1. What is the duty of customs?

Customs duty is a form of tax or a kind of duty which is levied on imported and exported products and services by the Customs Act of 1962.