Shipping Bill

The customs export declaration filed at an Indian port. Every export must have a shipping bill; it's the atomic unit of EDPMS closure.

Definition

A shipping bill is the customs export declaration filed at an Indian port for goods leaving India. It lists the exporter, consignee, goods description, quantities, HS codes, FOB value, destination, AD Bank code, and the port of loading. Every export must have one.

Types of shipping bills

• Free Shipping Bill — for exports where no duty drawback or scheme benefit is claimed
• Drawback Shipping Bill — for exports claiming duty drawback under Section 74/75 of the Customs Act
• DEEC Shipping Bill — for Advance Authorisation exports
• EPCG Shipping Bill — for EPCG scheme exports
• DFRC / DFIA Shipping Bill — for other duty-free schemes

Most Indian FBA sellers file Free Shipping Bills (with RoDTEP claimed post-shipment separately via DGFT portal).

Key data fields

• SB Number and Date — the unique identifier
• LEO Date — Let Export Order date (when the shipping bill was cleared for shipment)
• FOB Value — declared value of goods at the port of loading
• AD Code — 7-digit code identifying the AD Bank branch that will handle realization
• Invoice Reference — links to the commercial invoice raised on the buyer

EDPMS

Every shipping bill creates an EDPMS entry that must be closed by the AD Bank against realized foreign-exchange proceeds within 9 months of LEO date. See the EDPMS closure guide for the full mechanic.

Amendments

Errors in a filed shipping bill can be corrected via ICEGATE amendment request — see how to use the ICEGATE portal for the flow.

XPortKnock home · Blog · Start free trial