A bill of entry number is the unique reference assigned by Indian customs when ICEGATE accepts your filing. It follows a port-code + financial-year + serial format (e.g. INNSA1-2025-1234567) and is used for duty payment, GSTR-2B reconciliation, port delivery orders, and customs audit records.
Bill of Entry Number Decoder
Paste your BoE number to instantly decode the port, financial year, and serial number — entirely in your browser, nothing is sent anywhere.
Need the live clearance stage instead of the number format? Use the status lookup tool below, or check directly on the official ICEGATE enquiry portal.
The bill of entry number is the unique customs reference assigned by ICEGATE when your import declaration is accepted. Every subsequent step — duty payment, examination, delivery order, GSTR-2B reconciliation, and customs audit — relies on this number. This guide explains the number format, how to decode it, where to find it, and how to use it across different systems. If you are instead looking for the live clearance stage of your shipment, see our bill of entry status tracking guide.
What Is a Bill of Entry Number?
After a CHA files your bill of entry on ICEGATE and customs accepts the declaration, the system assigns a unique BoE number. This is your customs reference number for the entire lifecycle of that import — from assessment through audit retention (typically 5+ years). Unlike the bill of entry status, which changes as your shipment moves through clearance, the BoE number is fixed permanently once assigned.
Bill of Entry Number Format
The ICEGATE bill of entry number follows a structured format:
| Component | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Port Code | 6-character customs station identifier | INNSA1 (JNPT Nhava Sheva) |
| Year | 4-digit financial year | 2025 |
| Sequential Number | 7–8 digit running serial at that port | 1234567 |
A complete BoE number looks like: INNSA1-2025-1234567
Decoding a Bill of Entry Number — Worked Example
Take the sample number INNSA1-2025-1234567 and break it down piece by piece:
- INNSA1 — the customs station code. "IN" identifies India, "NSA1" identifies Nhava Sheva (JNPT). Every customs station — sea port, air cargo complex, or ICD — has its own unique code.
- 2025 — the Indian financial year (April–March) in which the BoE was filed, not the calendar year. A BoE filed in February 2026 still carries 2025 as the financial year code.
- 1234567 — the sequential serial number assigned at that specific port for that financial year. It resets to a new sequence each financial year per port.
Knowing this structure lets you sanity-check a number at a glance — if the port code does not match where your goods actually landed, or the year does not match your filing date, flag it to your CHA immediately, since it usually indicates a typo rather than a real discrepancy.
Common Indian Port Codes
| Port | Code |
|---|---|
| JNPT / Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) | INNSA1 |
| Chennai Sea Port | INMAA1 |
| Mundra Port | INMUN1 |
| Kolkata Port | INCCU1 |
| Cochin / Kochi Port | INCOK1 |
| Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar) | INTUT1 |
| Kandla / Deendayal Port | INIXY1 |
| Vishakhapatnam Port | INVTZ1 |
| Paradip Port | INPRT1 |
| Pipavav Port | INPAV1 |
| Delhi (IGI Airport) | INDEL4 |
| Mumbai (CSIA Airport) | INBOM4 |
| Bangalore (Kempegowda Airport) | INBLR4 |
| Chennai Airport | INMAA4 |
| Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi Airport) | INHYD4 |
| ICD Tughlakabad (Delhi) | INTKD6 |
| ICD Patparganj (Delhi) | INPPG6 |
Exact codes can vary slightly by customs station revisions — always treat the code on your own filed BoE or your CHA's confirmation as authoritative rather than relying solely on a published list.
Where to Find Your Bill of Entry Number
- CHA confirmation — your CHA will share the BoE number via email or their client portal once ICEGATE assigns it
- ICEGATE portal — log in with your IEC and search under "Bill of Entry Inquiry" using BL number and port
- Duty payment challan — the challan generated for duty payment carries the BoE number
- Out-of-charge order — the OOC document from customs includes the BoE number
- Delivery order — some shipping line DOs reference the BoE number for cross-verification
Bill of Entry Number vs. Job Number vs. Shipping Bill Number
Importers and CHAs often use several reference numbers in parallel, and mixing them up causes real confusion when tracking a shipment:
| Reference | Issued for | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill of entry number | Import declarations | ICEGATE / customs EDI | Duty payment, GST credit, audit reference |
| Job number | A CHA's internal file for handling your shipment | The CHA / clearing agent (internal, not customs) | CHA-side coordination only — has no legal customs standing |
| Shipping bill number | Export declarations | ICEGATE / customs EDI | The export-side equivalent of a BoE number — used for outbound cargo, not imports |
If your CHA quotes you a "job number" that does not match the BoE number format above, that is expected — it is their internal reference, not the customs reference. Always confirm the actual BoE number separately for any GST, bank, or audit purpose.
How the BoE Number Is Used Across Systems
| System / Purpose | How BoE Number Is Used |
|---|---|
| ICEGATE Bill of Entry Inquiry | Reference for locating your filing (see the status tracking guide) |
| Duty payment | Challan generated against BoE number |
| GSTR-2B | Matches BoE number to IGST credit entry |
| GSTR-3B ITC claim | Reference for import ITC amounts |
| Port / CFS delivery | Required on delivery order application |
| Import license redemption (DGFT) | BoE used to prove import against Advance Auth / EPCG |
| Customs audit / PCA | Auditors pull all BoE records by number |
| Bank remittance | AD bank may require BoE for foreign exchange reporting |
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Bill of Entry Number?
In most cases the BoE number is generated instantly the moment ICEGATE accepts your electronic filing — there is no waiting period for the number itself. What can be delayed is the filing being accepted in the first place: if the carrier's Import General Manifest (IGM) has not yet been filed, or the IEC/GSTIN linked to the filing has a mismatch, ICEGATE will reject the submission and no number is generated until the underlying issue is fixed.
BoE Number Not Assigned — What Went Wrong?
If your CHA filed but no BoE number was assigned, common reasons are:
- IGM/manifest not yet filed by carrier — most common reason
- IEC inactive or mismatched
- Port code error
- ICEGATE system downtime (check CBIC advisories)
- Duplicate BoE for the same BL already exists
Bill of Entry Numbers Outside India
Other countries use an equivalent reference number under a different name and format. Bangladesh's ASYCUDA World assigns a declaration registration number with a similar port-plus-serial structure under NBR rules. The UK's Customs Declaration Service uses an MRN (Movement Reference Number) rather than a "bill of entry number." The USA's ACE system assigns an entry number tied to the filer code. If you need country-specific filing detail, see our Bangladesh bill of entry guide or the multi-country status tracking guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two bill of entry numbers be issued for the same shipment?
No — one BL (or AWB) should correspond to one BoE. If a CHA accidentally files twice, one will be a duplicate and must be cancelled. Contact customs to cancel the duplicate before it causes payment or bond issues.
My BoE number is not showing in GSTR-2B. Why?
Most common cause: GSTIN was not entered on the BoE. Second cause: ICEGATE-GSTN data sync delay (usually 48–72 hours). If still not reflected after 5 working days, ask your CHA to confirm GSTIN is on the original filing, then raise a ticket via the GST portal helpdesk.
How long is a bill of entry number valid?
The BoE number is a permanent record — it does not expire. You should retain the BoE and all associated documents for at least 5 years for customs audit and 6 years for GST purposes.
Is the bill of entry number the same as the job number my CHA gave me?
No. The job number is your CHA's internal file reference and has no standing with customs. The bill of entry number is the official ICEGATE-assigned reference — always use the BoE number, not the job number, for GST, bank, or audit purposes.
Can I look up a bill of entry number using only the bill of lading number?
Yes — ICEGATE's Bill of Entry Inquiry service allows lookup by BL number and port code if you do not yet have the BoE number directly from your CHA.
Retaining BoE records and wondering how long they stay valid or reopenable? See bill of entry validity periods.
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