Services
Export Customs Clearance
Our in-house licensed Customs House Agents (CHA) file your Shipping Bill on ICEGATE, handle all examination channels, and ensure your LEO is obtained without delays.
In-house CHA — we don't subcontract
Most freight forwarders hand your Shipping Bill to a third-party CHA. We don't. Our own licensed CHA team files directly on ICEGATE. This means faster clearance, direct accountability, and you know exactly who is handling your cargo.
What our CHA service includes
- Shipping Bill filing on ICEGATE
- All channel handling (Green, Yellow, Red)
- Examination support — CHA officer present for physical examinations
- LEO (Let Export Order) tracking and confirmation
- AD Code registration at port (one-time setup)
- RoDTEP and Drawback scheme selection — we pre-select the higher benefit
- Duty Drawback filing and follow-up
- All port documentation and coordination
- Compliance advisory — SCOMET, restricted items, licensing
What is ICEGATE?
ICEGATE (India Customs EDI Gateway) is the government portal where all Shipping Bills are filed electronically. Every export from India goes through ICEGATE.
Our CHA submits your Shipping Bill here. The risk engine assigns your channel (Green/Yellow/Red). Once customs approves, the LEO is endorsed on your Shipping Bill — your legal clearance to export.
Customs at ports we cover
Green, Yellow, and Red channel — what they mean
When your Shipping Bill is filed on ICEGATE, the customs risk engine assigns one of three examination channels. Here is what happens in each.
What happens:
No physical examination. Customs clears the shipment on the basis of the filed documents alone. LEO is granted automatically after document processing.
Triggered when:
Most routine shipments by established exporters with clean records.
What happens:
Document examination — customs reviews original invoices, packing lists, licences, and certificates. No physical check of cargo. LEO granted after document verification.
Triggered when:
New exporters, higher-value goods, or when risk parameters flag the shipment for a check.
What happens:
Physical examination of cargo in addition to document check. A customs officer opens and inspects the consignment. Our CHA team is present for all red channel examinations.
Triggered when:
New exporters, mis-declared cargo flags, high-risk categories, or random selection.
Ambeza's CHA team is physically present for Yellow and Red channel examinations
Unlike outsourced CHA agents, our team is on-site at the examination — reducing delays and ensuring correct handling.
Customs clearance — frequently asked questions
Do I need a CHA to export from India?
Yes — a licensed Customs House Agent (CHA) is required to file the Shipping Bill on ICEGATE on your behalf. Under the Customs Act, only a licensed G Card or F Card holder can file export documents with customs. Ambeza employs its own licensed CHA team — no subcontracting.
What is a Shipping Bill and why is it important?
The Shipping Bill is the master export declaration — it is filed on ICEGATE before your cargo can be exported. It declares the goods, their value (FOB), HSN code, Incoterm, and whether you are claiming RoDTEP or Duty Drawback. The Let Export Order (LEO) is endorsed on the Shipping Bill once customs clears the goods.
How long does export customs clearance take in India?
Green Channel: 2–6 hours after filing. Yellow Channel: 4–12 hours. Red Channel (physical examination): 12–24 hours. Air cargo customs is generally faster than sea cargo. Ambeza's in-house CHA team accelerates clearance by being present on-site and resolving queries directly.
What is LEO and how do I know my cargo has been cleared?
Let Export Order (LEO) is the final customs clearance — it is endorsed on your Shipping Bill on ICEGATE. Until LEO is granted, your cargo cannot be loaded. Ambeza tracks LEO in real time and notifies you as soon as clearance is obtained. You can also check it yourself on ICEGATE using your Shipping Bill number.
What are RoDTEP and Duty Drawback, and how do I claim them?
RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) and Duty Drawback are government refund schemes for taxes embedded in your production cost. Your CHA must select the correct scheme at the time of Shipping Bill filing — you cannot switch after LEO. Ambeza's team pre-selects the higher-benefit option for every shipment and follows up on disbursement.