Summary: – A custom house agent has an important role to play when it comes to international trade, be it import or export. Here is everything that you need to know about the important role of a custom house agent.
A custom house agent or CHA has the responsibility of monitoring the clearance of imported goods with the help of personnel appointed by the Commissioner. In order to work as a CHA, the individual or entity must have a valid license. This license is issued by the Commissioner of Customs as per the guidelines specified in Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, 1984. Export and import business has reached its peak, and almost every metropolitan city has customs house agents to look after this growing business. So, people regularly look for an experienced custom house agent in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi and other cities for their requirements. But in order to get qualified as a CHA, you need to get certain qualifications.
Qualifications:
Below is the criterion that you need to fulfill in order to become a qualified CHA
- Graduate from a recognized University
- The applicant must have at least 3 years of experience in Customs clearance work
- Form G Pass, as an employee, for a period of one year as well as a written authorization from the Commissioner.
- Have property worth Rs. 5 lakhs or more certified with the bank.
Roles and responsibilities:
Once you are certified as a licensed CHA, you have to perform certain duties as identified by the licensing regulation. Some of the duties and responsibilities are:
- Proper documentation
The primary responsibility of gaining approval from all principal authorities’ rests with these agents. All activities related to the customs department are highly dependent on immaculate documentation. If permissions are not obtained beforehand, then it leads to huge repercussions which would, in turn, affect the business adversely.
- Submitting supporting documents for the bill of entry
A responsible agent has to personally clear the goods and has to prepare all the documents by mentioning his name on the top of the goods.
- Help with the examination of goods
Generally, the businesses that import or export goods do not have adequate knowledge about the rules and regulations of the government and neither do they have any time to look into these matters. Hence, it is the responsibility of the CHA to examine the goods for better exchange of goods and services
In the present era of cut-throat competition, the importance of offering additional services has assumed greater significance. As a result, service providers are going out of their way and are offering value-added services to make the customer experience even sweeter.
Resource Box: – NHD Group is one of the very few companies in India to be licensed as Custom House Agents and then become custom house brokers. They have created an excellent reputation in Mumbai as the most trustworthy and efficient service providers for importers as well as exporters
