Import General Manifest – IGM. How important in Import?

• Procedures to file IGM (Import General Manifest) 
• Who files Import General Manifest? 
• Why does Import General Manifest need to be filed? 
• Is mandatory to file Import General Manifest? 
• When to file Import General Manifest? Where to file IGM?
• Who does file Import General Manifest – IGM?

Import General Manifest is filed by the carrier of goods once its arrival at a destination port customs location. Once after arrival of goods at destination port, filing of Import General Manifest is mandatory.

Import General Manifest  (IGM)  notifies  customs department of importing country  by carrier of goods  about  the details of goods arrived to such customs location.   Once after arrival of goods the carrier files  details of cargo  about  shipper, consignee, number of packages, kind  of packages, description of goods, airway bill or bill of lading number and date, flight or vessel details etc. with customs department.  In some countries, the IGM can also be filed before arrival of goods.

Now days, Import General Manifest details (IGM details) are electronically linked with Export General Manifest (EGM) of load port. However if any short shipment arrived, such electronic linking can not be considered to file import documents for importer or his customs broker.

A specified format is available with each customs location of a country which can be filed manually or electronically as per the guidelines of respective customs department of each country.

If final destination of consignee and customs location is away from sea port air port of destination where in inland movement is required, how is IGM be filed?

If goods are moved to a Dry port, a gateway IGM at sea port of arrival of goods and another IGM at final destination dry port has to be filed by carrier.