An import declaration is the formal customs filing an importer submits to declare goods, pay duties, and obtain customs release. Different countries call this document different things — India and Bangladesh call it a "bill of entry," the US calls it an "entry summary," the EU uses the "Single Administrative Document (SAD)." The concepts are the same worldwide.
Import Declaration by Country
| Country / Region | Name of Document | System |
|---|---|---|
| India | Bill of Entry | ICEGATE |
| Bangladesh | Bill of Entry / GD (Goods Declaration) | ASYCUDA World |
| United States | Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501) | ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) |
| European Union | Single Administrative Document (SAD) | ICS2 / National customs systems |
| United Kingdom | Import Declaration (C88) | HMRC CDS |
| UAE | Customs Declaration | Mirsal2 (Dubai) / FASAH (Abu Dhabi) |
| Nigeria | Form M + Customs Entry (IM7) | NICIS2 |
| Pakistan | Goods Declaration (GD) | WeBOC |
| Australia | Import Declaration (B650) | ICS / NCCP |
What Every Import Declaration Must State
Regardless of country, all import declarations share core required data elements under the World Customs Organization (WCO) Revised Kyoto Convention:
- Declarant identity (importer name, tax/trade ID)
- Goods description and HS tariff classification
- Customs value (usually CIF) and currency
- Country of origin
- Transport details (vessel/flight, BL/AWB)
- Intended customs procedure (import for home use, warehousing, transit)
- Tax and duty amounts calculated
FAQs
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Frequently asked questions
In India and Bangladesh, yes — the bill of entry is the import declaration. In other countries, the same concept has different names: Entry Summary (USA), SAD (EU), GD (Bangladesh), Customs Declaration (UAE).
The importer of record, or more commonly a licensed customs broker (CHA in India, C&F agent in Bangladesh, customs broker in most countries) filing on behalf of the importer.