KYC

Know Your Customer
 

KYC - Import Clearance

KYC is an acronym for Know Your Customer which is a term used for identifying and verifying the identity of the customer.

In the context of increasing number of offenses involving various modus-operandi such as misuse of export promotion schemes, fraudulent availment of export incentives, unscrupulous imports and duty evasion by bogus IEC holders etc., the "Know Your Customer (KYC)" guidelines have been put in place by The Ministry of Finance, Central Board of Excise & Customs to ensure that they are not used intentionally or unintentionally by importers / exporters who indulge in fraudulent activities.

KYC (Know Your Customer) guidelines puts an obligation on DTDC to verify the antecedent, correctness of the IEC (Importer Exporter Code), identity of the customer and their functioning in the declared address by using reliable, independent and authentic documents, data or information. Hence, all consignees and importers based in India need to provide KYC documents for the clearance of all non-document imports, regardless of the value of such consignments.

KYC documents (government recognized Identity proof) need to be presented to customs during the import clearance process. Hence,it is important that DTDC is provided with all the necessary KYC documents before the shipment arrives in India. Absence of KYC documents during the import clearance process leads to clearance delays as shipments are detained by customs, until KYC documents of the consignee are provided by the shipper at origin or consignee based in India.

You are requested to please share your KYC documents with DTDC via e-mail on kycsupport@dtdc.com or WhatsApp on +91 9742273300 / +91 8433905830 with the Airwaybill / Reference Number of your shipment in the subject line.

The below table provides more information about KYC documents required for customs clearance as mandated by Indian Customs vide CBEC Circulars 09/2010, 33/2010 and 07/2015 for identification/ verification of importers/exporters for customs clearance performed on their behalf by DTDC acting as an Authorized Courier.

Sl. No Category Documents to be obtained
1 Individual - Resident Indian

Any one self certified document is sufficient if it contains both Identity (Photo) and Address Proof.

In case an Individual wants the delivery to a different address or the given KYC document does not match with the delivery address, please provide below any one of the additional self certified document to record the proof of delivery address.

  1. Bank Account Statement
  2. Electricity Bill
  3. Telephone Bill
  4. Hotel Booking Receipt in case the delivery address is a hotel
  5. LPG Connection document with address
  6. Rent Agreement
Individual below 18 years of age can also provide a Birth Certificate as Proof of Identity. However, one ID proof of the  Parent / Guardian is also required with address proof.
  • Aadhar card
  • Passport
  •  PAN card
  • Voter ID
2

Companies/Firms/Trusts/ Foundations registered under GST (Any two documents). If customers have registered under different branches across India, please provide all registered GSTN data.

  • GST No
  •  IEC (Importer Exporter Code) 
  • PAN card
3

Companies/Firms not registered under GST - Any two documents

  • Certificate of Incorporation 
  • Memorandum of Association
  • Articles of Association 
  • Power of Attorney granted to its managers, officers or employees to transact business on its behalf
  • Telephone bill in the name of the company
  • PAN allotment letter
4

Partnership firms not registered under GST- Any two documents

  • Registration certificate, if registered
  • Partnership deed
  • Power of Attorney(PoA) granted to a partner or an employee to transact  business on its behalf
  • Any officially valid document identifying the partners and the person holding the PoA and their addresses
  • Telephone bill in the name of firm/partners
5

Trusts/Foundations not registered under GST - Any two documents

  • Certificate of registration, if registered
  • Power of Attorney (PoA) granted to transact business on its behalf
  • Any officially valid document to identify the trustees, settlers, beneficiaries and those holding the PoA, founders/managers/directors and their addresses
  • Resolution of the managing body of the foundation/association
  • Telephone bill in the name of trust/foundation
  • Name of trustees, settlers, beneficiaries and signatories
  • Name and address of the founder, the managers, Directors and the  beneficiaries, in full, complete and correct.
  • Telephone and fax number, e-mail address of the trust, founder and trustees.
6

Foreign National residing in India or visits India - Passport and Visa/PIO card self certified copies are mandatory.
Additionally please provide any ONE of the following address proof document. The address on this document should match with the delivery address.

  1. Address proof of relative/friend if staying with  them
  2. Hotel Booking Receipt
  3. Rent Agreement
  4. Stay Visa
  5. A deputation letter from the Parent company with duration of stay confirmation

(i) Passport
(ii) Visa / PIO card

7

Diplomats/Govt. Organisations/ Govt. Research Institutes or any Govt. Authorities etc as prescribed under para 2.07 HBP 2015-20 i.e. Categories of importer and exporter that are exempted from obtaining IEC.

The IEC will be either Unique Identification Number (UIN) issued by GSTN and authorized by DGFT or any common number notified by DGFT.

KYC PROCESS FOR CONSIGNEE'S IN INDIA

  1. Once  the shipment is booked at origin, DTDC will send an auto generated message to the consignee on the phone number or email address provided on the Air Waybill to request for the KYC documents. Hence, it is essential for the shipper to ensure that the consignee’s name, address and contact details on the Air Waybill and invoice are completely accurate.
  2. Consignees/ Importers must upload their correct KYC through the link shared in the SMS / Email to avoid possible delays in import clearance.  The name and address on the KYC documents must match the name and address mentioned on the Air Waybill and invoice.
  3. Customs clearance will be initiated upon receipt of satisfactory KYC documents hence all KYC’s uploaded directly through link or shared through any other medium are validated before they are submitted to customs.
  4. If satisfactory KYC documents are not received within 15 calendar days, the shipment will be considered undeliverable and returned to the shipper with charges, if any, will be billed back to the shipper.

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