B2B Trade & Import-Export
Cross-border trade, compliance, documentation
How to Check Bill of Entry Status Online on ICEGATE Portal
In India, importers must comply with various customs procedures before their goods can be cleared. One of the most important documents in this process is the Bill of Entry (BOE). After filing a BOE, importers often ask: How do I check my Bill of Entry status online? The ICEGATE portal (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) provides a quick and easy way to track your BOE status. In this guide, we’ll explain the meaning of Bill of Entry, what changed under ICEGATE 2.0, the step-by-step process to ch
How to Check Shipping Bill Status on ICEGATE: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Shipping Bill Status is the real-time customs clearance progress of your export shipment than can be tracked through ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) . After your CHA files a Shipping Bill (export declaration) with Indian Customs, the SB (Shipping Bill) status shows whether your goods are approved, under processing, cleared for export (LEO granted), or if EGM has been filed by the shipping line. Tracking Shipping Bill status on ICEGATE is critical because it determines when your shi
What Is IEC Code? Full Form, Meaning, Verification & the Rule That Deactivates It (2026)
IEC stands for Importer-Exporter Code, Before 2017 it used to be a 10-digit unique identification number but after introduction of GST in 2017 the Importer-Exporter Code for firms in India became the same as their PAN (Permanent Account Number), though you still need to apply it via the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Without an IEC, no shipment can legally clear customs, and no government trade incentives can be accessed for import ex
ICEGATE Login & Registration 2026: Portal Access, Duty Payment & Document Download
ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange Gateway) is the official online portal of Indian Customs where importers, exporters, and customs brokers file all customs documents electronically. ICEGATE enables electronic filing of Bills of Entry (imports), Shipping Bills (exports), IGM (Integrated Manifest), and online payment of customs duties. ICEGATE is the digital gateway for all international trade through India, managed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Under
What Are Bank Guarantees, SBLCs, and Letters of Credit?
Bank guarantees, SBLCs and letters of credit are basically risk‑sharing tools that help importers and exporters trust each other across borders. They do this by pulling a bank into the middle of the deal so that someone reliable promises to pay if things go wrong. A letter of credit (LC) is a contractual commitment by a buyer’s bank to pay the exporter once the exporter ships the goods and presents compliant documents. A bank guarantee (BG) is a promise by a bank that if its customer does not
Importing Pet Products into India: Rules, Permits, Duties & Compliance Guide (2026)
Indian pet parents are spending more on food, treats, accessories and vet care than ever before, but the regulatory lens on pet‑product imports has also become much sharper. Many of these products are either animal‑origin or veterinary in nature, so they sit at the intersection of animal‑health laws, food safety, drug control and customs rules instead of normal FMCG. This article focuses on commercial imports of pet products for resale and distribution, pet food, treats, toys, leashes, gadgets