<a></a>What Is an Export General Manifest?

An Export General Manifest is a document legally filed with the Indian Customs by the shipping line, airlines or their authorised agent after departure of the vessel/aircraft from India.

Think of it as Customs' confirmation that the export process has been successfully carried out. An Export General Manifest will not be acknowledged until the export process is fully closed in the customs system.

In contrast to a shipping bill that is submitted before the export process, the export general manifest (EGM) is always submitted after the shipment process. It is submitted after the loading of the cargo and the departure of the vessel/aircraft.

Once Customs accepts the EGM, it matches the information with the shipping bill. This allows the shipping bill to be closed and enables <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/claim-export-incentives-india">exporters to claim</a> benefits such as GST refunds, duty drawback, and RoDTEP incentives.

Today, most exporters use the electronic filing system through ICEGATE. However, manual filing may still be used at certain land customs stations where electronic filing isn't available.

<a></a>Key Characteristics of an Export General Manifest

<a></a>Why Is an Export General Manifest Important?

An Export General Manifest (EGM) is important because it confirms that goods have physically left India, enables shipping bill closure, allows exporters to claim GST refunds and export incentives, and helps Customs verify export records.

Without an accepted EGM, the export transaction remains incomplete, delaying post-export benefits and compliance processes.

The biggest benefit of filing the Export General Manifest is that it allows your shipping bill to be closed. Until that happens, several post-export processes remain on hold.

Banks also depend upon the EGM status while clearing export-related documentation, such as the Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC). In case the shipping bill is still open, these procedures may also be delayed.

Customs uses the Export General Manifest to verify that the consignment of goods recorded in the shipping bill has actually been exported.

The EGM also records cases where goods listed on the shipping bill were not loaded onto the vessel or aircraft, ensuring customs records remain accurate.

<a></a>Who Files an Export General Manifest?

The carrier files the EGM, not the exporter. Depending on the mode of transport, this may be the shipping line, airline, or their authorised agent. The EGM is submitted to Customs after the goods have been exported to confirm that they have physically left India. The Export General Manifest is filed by:

Though exporters do not file the EGM, they have to provide correct shipment details before export from India. This includes shipping bill number, exporter and consignee details, port codes, number of packages, gross weight, and voyage or flight details.

If any of these details don't match the carrier's records, the EGM may be rejected, delaying shipping bill closure and export benefits.

The filing timeline depends on the mode of transport:

While it is the duty of the carrier to submit, it would be better for exporters to follow up to ensure that the EGM has been filed in time.

The late filing of an EGM may affect the refund of GST and duty drawback, along with other export benefits. It's always worth checking the filing status with your shipping line or freight forwarder.

<a></a>What Is the Export General Manifest Format?

The Export General Manifest (EGM) format consists of four prescribed sections or forms: General Declaration (Form I), Passenger Manifest (Form II), Cargo Manifest (Form III), and List of Private Property (Form IV). Together, these forms capture shipment, voyage, passenger, cargo, and other details required by Customs to verify exported goods.

This form contains all the basic information regarding the shipment, such as voyage/flight information, port of clearance, and a brief description of cargo.

This form contains all the information about the vessel or flight, such as movement information and any statutory information.

This is the most important section in the document for the exporter, as this part has all the shipment information verified by Customs against the shipping bill.

It generally includes the shipping bill number, exporter details, consignee details, cargo description, package count, gross weight, port of destination, and vessel or aircraft details.

Since this information is matched with the shipping bill, even a small error can delay approval.

<a></a>Form IV - List of Private Property

This form is mainly used for aircraft operations and records the private property carried by the crew.

Before your carrier files the EGM, it's a good idea to review the shipment details carefully. A quick check can help prevent unnecessary corrections later.

<a></a>How to File an Export General Manifest on ICEGATE?

The EGM is filed by the carrier (shipping line or airline) with Customs after export using the prescribed forms. The Cargo Manifest (Form III) contains shipment details that are matched with the shipping bill, so reviewing the information beforehand helps avoid delays and corrections.

Here's how the Export General Manifest is typically filed on <a href="https://www.icegate.gov.in/">ICEGATE</a>:

<a></a>Step 1: The carrier collects shipment details

Once the loading process is complete, the shipping company or airline collects shipment data that includes the shipping bill number, exporter and consignee details, packaging and container details, port codes, gross weight, and voyage or flight details.

This data must correspond with the shipping bill. Any discrepancy in it may cause rejection of the shipment.

The carrier or authorised agent logs into ICEGATE using a registered User ID and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

The Export General Manifest is prepared in the prescribed XML or EDI format and uploaded through the EGM filing module. ICEGATE validates the file before accepting it.

After a successful upload, ICEGATE generates an acknowledgement number.

If you want to know how to get EGM details for export, then you can ask your shipping company, freight forwarder, or CHA for the acknowledgement number. You can also verify the status of your shipping bill via ICEGATE through your IEC and shipping bill number.

If ICEGATE detects discrepancies, the carrier must correct the details and resubmit the EGM.

After acceptance of the Export General Manifest, the shipment bill is then closed. This enables the exporter to apply for various exemptions, including GST refund, duty drawback, RoDTEP benefits, and complete post-export documentation.

For the detailed steps, check out our <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/egm-icegate">dedicated blog on the same</a>.

<a></a>Difference Between Shipping Bill and Export General Manifest

The shipping bill is lodged before the goods are exported, while the Export General Manifest is filed after the goods have left India. Although there’s a difference between shipping bill and export general manifest, the two are closely connected.

The table below highlights the key differences between a shipping bill and an EGM:

Understanding the difference between the shipping bill and Export General Manifest is important because both documents are required at different stages of the export process.

The shipping bill allows your goods to leave India. The Export General Manifest confirms that they have actually left.

<a></a>Export General Manifest vs Import General Manifest

The EGM and Import General Manifest (IGM) differ in the direction of cargo movement and when they are filed. The table below compares the EGM and IGM.

For exporters, the Export General Manifest is the key document because it confirms that the shipment has physically left India and completes the export process.

If the EGM is not filed, the export process remains incomplete, and exporters may face delays in GST refunds, export incentives, and shipping bill closure in ICEGATE.

In some cases, incorrect or delayed filing may also attract penalties under the Customs Act.

On the positive side, however, once the problem is detected, the carrier can rectify the EGM and submit an amendment request.

<a></a>What Are Common Export General Manifest Errors and How to Fix Them?

Most EGM rejections happen because the information filed by the carrier doesn't match the shipping bill. Here are the most common errors:

Yes. If mistakes are found after filing, the carrier can request an amendment by submitting the required documents and obtaining Customs approval.

<a></a>How Can Skydo Help After Your EGM Is Filed?

Just as exporters track Export General Manifest status to avoid shipment uncertainty, payment tracking also matters. With Skydo, you can track your export payments clearly at every stage, so you always know where your money is.

Streamline your international payments from exports with Skydo. Get your account within 5 minutes at no forex margin today!

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What Is a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)?

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It's a unique number given to a product so it can be recognized anywhere in the world, on any platform, by any retailer. The GTIN number isn't random. It carries details about who made the product, what type it is, and how it's packaged.

So when a warehouse in Germany scans your box of Darjeeling tea, the system already knows exactly what it's looking at.

GTINs are issued by <a href="https://www.gs1.org/resources/articles/gs1-welcomes-4-new-member-organisations">GS1</a>, a not-for-profit standards body headquartered in Brussels that runs a network of around 120 member organizations covering 150 countries. In India, the authorized member is GS1 India, and every GTIN issued here starts with the country code 890. So if you ever spot a product number beginning with 890, it was registered in India.<a href="https://www.gs1.org/resources/articles/gs1-welcomes-4-new-member-organisations"> </a>

A GTIN isn't legally mandatory. But most major retailers and marketplaces won't let you list a product without it. And no listing means your product stays invisible to the exact buyers searching for what you sell.

A GTIN matters for more than just online sellers. If you make, sell, or ship physical products in India, you likely need one, and how you use it depends on which of these you are.

A GTIN is important because it makes your listings faster to create, your products easier to find, your data more accurate, your customs clearance smoother, your supply chain traceable, and your business eligible for markets that require one. Here's what each of those looks like in practice:

There are four types of GTIN: GTIN-8 for small items, GTIN-12 (UPC-A) for North America, GTIN-13 (EAN-13) the most common format worldwide, and GTIN-14 (ITF-14) for cases and pallets. Which one you use depends on the product and where it's sold. Here's how each format breaks down:

Every GTIN is just a string of digits, 8, 12, 13, or 14 digits long, depending on the format. But those digits aren't one random block. Each part has a job. Take a standard Indian GTIN-13, such as 8901234567890. Here's what's packed inside it.

A GTIN isn't tied to the barcode. The same number can live in a QR code or other data carriers, and it shows up on the trade documents that move your goods, like the<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/export-declaration-form"> export declaration form</a> you file when shipping out of India.

You can check a GTIN in India using GS1's free Verified by GS1 tool: find the GTIN printed below the barcode, go to <a href="https://www.gs1.org/services/verified-by-gs1">GS1</a>, enter the number, and read the result to see the company and product it belongs to. This is useful when you're sourcing from a new supplier and want to confirm their product code is real before you list it, or when you've spotted a GTIN and want to know which brand it actually belongs to.

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So if a supplier hands you a GTIN and the tool returns a different company name than expected, that's your cue to ask questions before the product goes live on your store.

How to Get a GTIN in India? A Step-by-Step Guide

Only one organization can issue a genuine GTIN in India: GS1 India. Every code starting with 890 comes from them, so this is where the process begins. GS1 India runs it through a portal called DataKart, which stores your product data and generates the codes. Here's how to get a GTIN number for your products.

The fee puts some small sellers off, but there's built-in relief. Micro manufacturing enterprises registered under MSME can claim up to 80% reimbursement on the one-time registration and annual recurring fees for the first three years, capped at ₹50,650, under the Ministry of MSME's barcode scheme. If you're running a small<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/eou-full-form-export-oriented-unit"> export-oriented unit</a> and watching every rupee, that covers most of your setup cost.<a href="https://www.gs1india.org/msme"> </a>

There's also a route for sellers who don't have a brand-issued GTIN at all. On Amazon, private-label, handmade, and generic products can apply for a GTIN exemption instead of purchasing one. Go to Seller Central, start a new listing, and in the Product Identity section, select the option indicating the product has no brand name.

How Is GTIN Used on Amazon and Global Marketplaces?

On Amazon, a GTIN isn't optional for most categories. It's the key Amazon uses to tie your listing to a single product record in its catalog. Give it a valid GTIN, and Amazon knows exactly which item you're selling, which stops your listing from becoming a duplicate of one that already exists.

This matters more once you sell abroad. Through Amazon Global Selling, an Indian seller can list on 18 Amazon marketplaces across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. For most categories, a valid GTIN from GS1 India is a prerequisite to list at all, so the same code you registered in India is what puts your product live in the US or Germany.

The GTIN keeps working after the sale, too, in places you don't see. As your product moves between trading partners, the same number travels through the paperwork, from purchase orders to invoices to shipping notices. So the<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/proforma-invoice-meaning"> proforma invoice</a> you send a US buyer and the details their warehouse scans on arrival all point back to one identifier, with no guessing about which item is which.

GTIN vs. UPC vs. Barcode: What Is the Difference?

The GTIN is the number, the actual identity of your product.

The barcode is the pattern of lines printed on the pack, and its only job is to make that number readable by a scanner. So the GTIN is the data, and the barcode is the carrier.

UPC and EAN sit in between. There are two barcode formats, both defined by GS1. UPC is the 12-digit version used mainly in North America, and EAN is the 13-digit version used across most of the world, including India, where it starts with 890.

The confusion is common because a single product usually shows all of these at once. An Indian product might carry the GTIN 8901234567890, encoded as an EAN-13 barcode, which shows up as the familiar black-and-white lines on the label. One product, one number, just described in different ways depending on which part you mean.

Yes. GS1 defines a trade item as anything that's priced, ordered, or invoiced, which covers services as well, not just physical goods. A service gets its own GTIN and is managed the same way a product would be.

The variant rule from earlier still applies. Each version of a service needs its own code, so a one-year software subscription and its premium upgrade carry separate GTINs, just as two sizes of a physical product do.

You'll see this on a prepaid mobile recharge voucher or an extended three-year laptop warranty sold at checkout. Each is priced and sold as its own item, so each gets its own number.

Getting a GTIN lists your product and helps it sell on Amazon marketplaces around the world. But a sale abroad only counts once the money actually reaches your bank in India. That last step is where many exporters lose margin without realizing it.

When an international payment comes in through a regular bank or a gateway like PayPal, the amount that lands is often smaller than what your buyer sent. The gap is the FX markup and the wire or processing fees, buried inside the exchange rate, so you never see them as a separate line. Across a run of orders, that adds up fast.

Skydo is built for this exact problem. You get virtual accounts in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and other markets, so your buyer pays into a local account like a domestic transfer, with no SWIFT hassle on their end. Skydo converts at the live mid-market rate with zero forex markup and settles INR to your Indian bank in about 24 hours.

The pricing is flat and shown upfront: $19 for payments up to $2,000, $29 for payments up to $10,000, and 0.3% for amounts above $10,000. Every transaction comes with a free FIRA, the proof of inward remittance you need for GST and RBI compliance, so you're not chasing certificates or paying extra for them later. Setup takes around five minutes with your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details.

And if you're selling through Amazon Global Selling, you can withdraw those marketplace payouts to your Skydo accounts too, keeping your export earnings and compliance paperwork in one place. You can<a href="https://www.skydo.com/"> check how much INR actually lands</a> for a typical payment before you sign up.

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What Is a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)?

An RCMC is an official certificate granted to an Indian exporter by a government-authorised body (an Export Promotion Council, a Commodity Board, or a Development Authority) confirming that the business is a registered member dealing in a defined category of goods or services.

The certificate registers the exporter with a government-recognised agency and simultaneously enrols the business as a member of the council or board responsible for its sector, which is why the process is also commonly known as<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/export-promotion-council-registration-rcmc"> Export Promotion Council registration</a>. It is issued by a DGFT-authorised Registering Authority, such as an Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board or Development Authority, under the Foreign Trade Policy.

The validity of an RCMC runs for five financial years, from 1st April of the licensing year of issue until 31st March of the fifth year. Across India, 26 Export Promotion Councils and 9 Commodity Boards are authorised to issue RCMCs, each covering a specific set of products or services.

An RCMC is not a shipping document. Unlike consignment level paperwork such as a<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/certificate-of-origin"> Certificate of Origin</a>, it plays no role in customs clearance and replaces no part of standard export documentation.

RCMC registration is important because it is the gateway to the export incentives, scheme benefits, and trade facilitation support the Foreign Trade Policy extends to Indian exporters. Here's what a valid RCMC unlocks:

What Are the Benefits of an RCMC Certificate?

The principal RCMC certificate benefits include access to FTP incentive schemes, duty concessions on imports, market development support through the EPC, stronger credibility with buyers and banks, and eligibility for status holder recognition.

Here is what each of those advantages means in practice for a registered exporter.

Without a valid RCMC, exporters may be unable to access FTP authorisations, concessions and other benefits where the Foreign Trade Policy requires one. However, post-export remission schemes such as RoDTEP, RoSCTL and Duty Drawback can still be claimed without an RCMC.

An RCMC certificate is not required for every export. Most goods and services leave India without one. It only becomes necessary once an exporter wants to claim a benefit, concession, or incentive.

DGFT regulations are specific on this point. Any exporter who wants concessional customs duty rates, or who plans to avail authorisations, licences, or benefits under the FTP, must hold a valid RCMC. Export volume makes no difference here. Without the certificate, those incentives stay out of reach.

Service exporters, including IT firms, consultancies, tourism operators, and education providers, generally do not need RCMC unless they are claiming FTP benefits. Many still register anyway, as RCMC membership adds credibility with international clients and brings sector specific support from the relevant Export Promotion Council.

First-time exporters should obtain the certificate early, as it smooths the path for future licence applications and access to schemes. An RCMC certificate is mandatory for export benefits, not for exporting itself.

An RCMC certificate is issued by Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, and Development Authorities, all authorised by the Government of India under DGFT oversight. The right body follows the product: manufactured goods and services sit with an EPC, commodities such as tea, coffee, and spices with their Commodity Board, and agricultural or processed foods with a Development Authority like APEDA.

As of 2026, India has more than two dozen authorised councils, boards, and development authorities in operation. Each exporter registers with the body whose jurisdiction covers its principal line of business.

The table below maps the major issuing bodies to the exporter categories they serve:

Multi-category exporters may register with FIEO instead of joining several councils. Since 17 July 2023, every APEDA RCMC certificate has been issued through the DGFT portal,thereby bringing agricultural and processed food exporters onto the same single-window platform as all other categories.

How to Apply for an RCMC Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

To apply for an RCMC certificate online, log in to the DGFT Common Digital Platform, complete form ANF 2C, upload your documents, pay the council fee, and submit with a DSC or Aadhaar e-Sign. A complete file is typically processed within 7 to 10 working days.

Here is how to apply for an RCMC certificate online:

What Documents Do You Need for an RCMC Registration?

An RCMC registration requires a valid IEC, the entity's PAN and GST certificates, proof of business constitution, verified bank details, CA-certified foreign exchange earnings and a board resolution, where applicable.

The checklist below organises the required documents into three categories for ease of preparation:

These documents establish who the applicant is and confirm its standing as a registered trading entity:

These documents confirm the legal form of the business and the signatory's authority to act on its behalf:

These documents evidence the exporter's financial credentials and complete the application file itself:

<i><b>Note</b>: Requirements differ slightly across councils and boards. Hence, confirm the final list with your issuing authority before submitting. Renewal applications additionally require export turnover details.</i>

How Long Is an RCMC Certificate Valid, and How Do You Renew It?

An RCMC certificate is valid for five financial years, running from 1st April of the licensing year in which it is granted until 31st March five years later, and is renewed online through the DGFT portal before expiry.

The points below cover the renewal timeline, the procedure itself, and the compliance obligations that apply throughout the validity period:

A standard RCMC certificate is a single-page digital document that records who issued it, who holds it, which products it covers, and how long it remains valid. The sample design differs across issuing authorities such as FIEO, APEDA, and the Spices Board, but every e-RCMC contains the same seven elements:

Check every detail as soon as the certificate is issued. A wrong product group or a misspelt name, discovered only when you claim a benefit, means filing an amendment before the claim can move.

How Does Skydo Help Indian Businesses Receive International Payments

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> helps Indian businesses receive international payments through free multi-currency accounts, automatic remittance documentation, flat transparent pricing, and settlement within one working day.

Once the RCMC is in place, this is the next compliance priority, because an exporter claiming FTP benefits must be able to evidence every inward remittance. Skydo is a cross-border payment platform designed specifically for Indian exporters and freelancers receiving payments from foreign clients. It offers:

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What Is an Import General Manifest (IGM)?

An Import General Manifest is the carrier's declaration to customs of everything on board a vessel or aircraft arriving at an Indian port. The shipping line, airline, or its agent files it. It lists every consignment on the vessel, not just yours.

The legal basis is<a href="https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15359/1/the_customs_act,_1962.pdf"> Section 30 of the Customs Act, 1962</a>, which requires the manifest to be presented electronically before arrival. The filer signs a declaration that the contents are true, which is why errors need a formal amendment later, not a phone call.

Each line carries the details that customs needs to identify cargo: BL or Airway Bill number, packages, weight, container and seal number, goods description and HS code, ports of loading and discharge, and the consignee, shipper, and notify party.

Take a shipment of machine parts moving from Hamburg to Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The vessel is carrying several hundred consignments, and the shipping line files a single IGM covering all of them. Your container appears as one line on that manifest, tied to your BL number.

This matters because cargo that isn't on the manifest cannot legally be unloaded, under Section 32. Once the IGM receives its number, your shipment is formally with customs, and your Bill of Entry is filed against that number.

Why Is an Import General Manifest Important?

The IGM is important because it registers your cargo in the customs system, acts as a cross-check against your shipping documents, determines your duty liability, drives port and safety operations, and links every party to the same consignment. Here's what each of those means in practice:

<a></a>Who Files an Import General Manifest?

The IGM is filed by the carrier, or by whoever is authorised to issue the delivery order for your cargo. Who that is depends on how your goods are shipped:

This split is also where the two types of manifest part ways. A Line IGM is filed by the shipping line for a full container moving under its own Bill of Lading. A Console IGM covers consolidated cargo: say your two pallets share a container with goods belonging to five other buyers, the forwarder who built that consolidated shipment files the house-level detail, which sits under the shipping line's master manifest.

This matters when something needs fixing. On an FCL shipment, you go to the shipping line. On an LCL shipment, the line will tell you the console isn't theirs, and only your forwarder can amend the line carrying your name. The shipping line only knows the container as a whole. Your forwarder is the one holding the details of what belongs to whom inside it.

On timing, the manifest is filed before the vessel arrives, but the deadline that actually affects you is much earlier. Under the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations, 2018, the cargo declaration has to be submitted before the vessel leaves its last port of call, and carriers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd typically ask customers for the underlying data around 72 hours before that sailing. In other words, the window to correct your consignee details cheaply closes while your cargo is still on the other side of the ocean.

Late filing without sufficient cause attracts a penalty of up to ₹50,000 under Section 30. The bigger costs usually show up elsewhere: vessel detention, clearance delays, and demurrage.

<a></a>What is the Format of an Import General Manifest?

An Import General Manifest is built around three groups of fields: transport and vessel details, cargo information, and stakeholder details. It's filed electronically to ICEGATE in a fixed data format under SCMTR (the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations), so the manifest your CHA shows you on screen is just a readable view of that underlying data. Here's what each group holds.

This covers the vessel name, its IMO or registration number, and the Voyage Call Number (VCN), which is the reference the port assigns to that specific voyage. The carrier cannot start filing without the VCN. Also in this group: the rotation number, ETA, port of loading, and port of discharge.

One thing to watch here. If your Bill of Lading says Hamburg to Jawaharlal Nehru Port but the vessel transships at Colombo, the manifest for your cargo is filed against the vessel that actually arrives at Nhava Sheva, not the one that left Germany.

The HS code matters most here, because it decides what duty you pay. If your supplier described the goods loosely and the forwarder assigned a code based on that description, customs assesses your cargo against a classification nobody on your side ever checked.

This group identifies everyone involved: your name and address as consignee, which must match your customs registration exactly, along with the shipper's name and address, the notify party, and your CHA and freight forwarder.

Since SCMTR, it also carries your IEC (or your PAN if you don't have an IEC), plus the PAN of the notify party. This is how the system recognises you, and how your AEO status (a customs trusted-trader accreditation that speeds up clearance) gets applied. It's also the group most often copied over from an old shipment.

Say your company moved offices last year and updated its registration. Your supplier's shipping instructions still carry the old address, so the manifest goes in with it. Nothing looks wrong until your CHA tries to file the Bill of Entry and the consignee details don't match.

<a></a>How to File an Import General Manifest on ICEGATE?

An IGM is filed on ICEGATE in five steps: get the Voyage Call Number from the port, file the cargo details, file the arrival manifest before the vessel leaves its last port, pass ICEGATE's error check, and receive the IGM number. Only registered carriers can file it, so this isn't something you do yourself, but knowing the sequence tells you where your shipment can get stuck and who to call when it does.

To do any of this, the carrier needs an ICEGATE ID and a separate SCMTR registration.

You don't need an ICEGATE account to check whether your manifest has been filed. Guest access covers the basics, and you only need to log in with your credentials or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) if you want container-level data or specific customs remarks.

The port code and either the IGM number or B/L number are mandatory. The IGM date is optional, but adding the vessel's expected arrival date speeds up the lookup.

If a record shows up, you'll see the IGM number, your line item, container and seal numbers, cargo description, and any customs remarks. If nothing comes up, either the carrier hasn't filed yet, or they've filed against a Bill of Lading number that doesn't match the one you're holding.

Check on the day the vessel sails from its last port, not the day it arrives. A missing record at that point is a phone call to your forwarder. The same missing record on arrival day is demurrage.

For what each status code means and how to fix a mismatch or hold, see our full guide on<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/sea-igm-tracking-icegate"> Sea IGM tracking on ICEGATE</a>.

If your cargo lands at a major port but is headed for an inland customs station, it gets manifested twice. Say a container arrives at Nhava Sheva but clears at an ICD near Delhi. There's one filing at the port, and a second one for the inland leg.

Your CHA files the Bill of Entry against the inland filing, not the gateway one. This catches people out: they check the port code instead of the inland one, find nothing, and assume the manifest was never filed.

The export general manifest declares what's leaving; the import general manifest declares what's arriving. One shipment generates both, filed by carriers in two different countries to two different customs authorities.

For a container moving from Hamburg to Nhava Sheva, German customs receives the export-side manifest, and Indian customs receives the IGM. When you export from India, the roles flip: your carrier files the departure manifest with Indian customs under Section 41 of the Customs Act, and the buyer's carrier files the import manifest at the destination.

Together, they close the loop. Indian customs uses the IGM to cross-check what physically arrived against your commercial invoice, packing list, and Bill of Lading. If the manifest says 12 pallets and your invoice says 14, that's the check catching it.

The terminology has changed. SCMTR renamed the EGM. It's now split into two filings: the Sea Departure Manifest, filed before the vessel leaves the Indian port, and the Sea Departure Notification, filed after it sails. In everyday conversation everyone still says EGM, and ICEGATE still shows the older term in places, but the newer names are what you'll see referenced on your shipping bill.

The IGM is the carrier's list of everything on the vessel; the Bill of Entry is your claim on one line of that list. They differ on who files, when, and what each one does: the carrier files the IGM to declare all cargo to customs, while you or your CHA file the Bill of Entry to claim your shipment, declare the duty, and request release.

That's the cleanest way to hold the distinction. The manifest declares. The Bill of Entry asks for release, names the duty, and puts your signature under a declaration of truth. It carries the port code, CHA code, your<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/iec-code-full-form-importance-fees"> IEC</a>, your name and address, and the classification on which duty is assessed.

The old rule of thumb was to wait for the IGM number and then file. That hasn't been true since 2021. Section 46 now requires the Bill of Entry to be filed before the end of the day preceding arrival, and it can be filed up to 30 days before the vessel is expected. Filing late without sufficient cause attracts charges that escalate by the day.

CBIC also removed the Master BL requirement for advance filing. You can file on the strength of the House BL alone, then update the Master BL afterwards through an online amendment that auto-approves without an officer and without late fees. That amendment is what links your Bill of Entry to the arrival manifest.

So the practical position is the reverse of what it appears to be. You aren't waiting on the manifest to start. You're filing ahead and reconciling to the manifest when it lands.

The matching still has to hold: consignee name, BL number, package count, weight, and description. A mismatch between the two documents halts clearance, and fixing it means amending the wrong document, which usually isn't yours.

What Are Common Import General Manifest Errors and How to Fix Them?

Most manifest errors are typing errors with expensive consequences. They come from data that traveled through three or four hands before reaching the carrier's filing system: your purchase order to your supplier, your supplier's shipping instructions to the forwarder, the forwarder's house BL, and the carrier's manifest.

Amendments are provided for. Section 30(3) permits the proper officer to permit a manifest to be amended where it's incorrect or incomplete and there was no fraudulent intent; SCMTR carries the same provision for arrival manifests. But the amendment isn't yours to file. You raise it with the carrier or forwarder who filed the line, they submit the request to customs at the port, and customs approves or doesn't. Carriers make it clear that post-filing amendments require customs approval and may incur fines.

The practical route, in order: pull the IGM inquiry against your Master BL, screenshot what's actually filed, send it to your CHA and forwarder together with the correct detail, and ask the forwarder to raise the amendment with the port. Expect it to take days, not hours. Cargo can sit on hold while it's processed.

Say your supplier's shipping instructions list your company as "Sharma Industries" when your IEC is registered as "Sharma Industries Private Limited." Nothing bounces at filing, because the manifest doesn't validate against your registration. It bounces when your CHA tries to file the Bill of Entry and the consignee doesn't reconcile. Now you're waiting on an amendment while demurrage runs.

The pattern behind almost all of it: you weren't the one who typed the detail, but you're the one holding the container. Sending your exact registered name, address, and IEC to your supplier at the PO stage, not at the shipping stage, removes most of this class of error before it exists.

Many businesses importing inputs are exporting something too, and a consignee detail that's wrong on the manifest tends to be wrong everywhere else the same entity name appears. Remittances land against a name the bank can't reconcile. The FIRA your GST refund claim depends on takes weeks, not days. The document mess that started on the import side ends up costing money.

That receiving end is what Skydo handles. Pricing is a flat fee rather than a percentage of the full amount, as banks and PayPal charge: $19 for amounts under $2,000, $29 for amounts between $2,000 and $10,000, and 0.3% above that. No hidden charges. Free virtual accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD, and CAD, plus international SWIFT. Setup takes 10 to 15 minutes, no monthly fee, you pay only when you transact.

The part that matters for a compliance article: every transaction comes with a<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/importance-of-fira-for-freelancers"> FIRA</a> issued automatically. No RM calls, no chasing SWIFT copies, no wondering when funds actually land, because settlement status is visible as it happens.

Same instinct that keeps your import clean. Know what's been filed before you need it.<a href="https://www.skydo.com/"> </a>

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