What is first check assessment procedures in import customs clearance?

You are importing some goods from a foreign country. You would like to confirm all pieces and parcels are in order as well as the quality of goods is perfectly meeting with your specification provided to your foreign seller.

Your overseas seller ships cargo as per the agreed terms and conditions between both of you and your buyer.

Once cargo arrived in port of discharges, you arrange to file import customs documents to take delivery of goods. Once you have taken delivery of cargo from customs clearance, the term import procedures and terms of contract to ship the cargo ends. You will come to know the exact condition of goods only once the cargo arrived at your premises. However, you need to know the quality and quantity of goods before customs clearing the cargo. In this case, you can arrange ‘first check procedures’.

• What is first check procedures in Import? 
• How to do First check procedures before completion of import clearance procedures by buyer. 

After filing Bill of Entry with customs which is the prime and legal document to file to complete import customs procedures, you can approach customs authorities for permission of ‘first check procedure’. Once you obtained permission for first check procedures, you will be permitted to draw samples of goods shipped by your foreign buyer as well as to arrange a surveyor to survey the goods. You can satisfy yourself with the quality and quantity of goods supplied by exporter. If quality meets with your requirement, you can continue to complete import customs procedures and formalities to take delivery of goods.

If you have any dispute in quality, you can suspend in completing further import clearance procedures and formalities to take delivery of goods. You can inform your overseas buyer in this regard and you can stop proceeding further with completing customs procedures and formalities. Either you can reject the cargo or you can demand compensation with the overseas shipper based on your business relationship with your overseas supplier.