KYC is an acronym for Know Your Customer which is a term used for identifying and verifying the identity and address of a customer.
In the context of the increasing number of offenses such as misuse of export promotion schemes, fraudulent availing of export incentives, unscrupulous imports, and duty evasion by bogus Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holders, etc., the Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines have been put in place by the Ministry of Finance, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs to ensure that they are not used intentionally or unintentionally by importers or exporters who indulge in fraudulent activities.
KYC guidelines put an obligation on MYACE to verify the antecedent, accuracy of the IEC, identity of the customer and their functioning at the declared address by using reliable, independent, and authentic documents, data, or information. Hence, all consignees and importers based in India need to provide KYC documents for the clearance of all non-document imports, regardless of the value of such consignments.
KYC documents (government recognised identity and address proof) need to be presented to customs during the import clearance process. Hence, it is important that MYACE is provided with all the necessary KYC documents before the shipment arrives in India. Absence of KYC documents during the import clearance process leads to clearance delays as shipments are detained by customs until KYC documents of the consignee are provided by the shipper at origin or consignee based in India.
As per the public notice issued by SIIB - Customs vide Regulation 12(1)(v) of the Courier Import & Export Regulations, 2010 and Circular No 2/2018 dated 12th January 2018, as an Authorised Express Operator, it has now become very critical for entire MYACE's India and worldwide network to support and comply with the Indian Customs Regulations for obtaining authorisation letters along with proof of identity and delivery/pick-up address details as per the KYC requirement for all import and export non-docs consignments.
In India, the pick-up/delivery address must match with the AWB/invoice address along with KYC proof produced and no delivery can happen on the roads or at PO Box addresses. The extract of regulation is pasted below for your reference. For both import and export consignments, MYACE needs to obtain the authorisation letter along with KYC documents mandatorily and retain it for any audit purposes by the customs authorities.
Please refer the enclosed format of the authorisation letter [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MN1FL_b0mAyNvzpNQbOD8_ZfcvnP4Lev/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108907395442167607711&rtpof=true&sd=true] which needs to be obtained by MYACE along with KYC documents.
You are requested to please share your KYC documents with MYACE via e-mail on kycsupport@myacecourierservices.in You are requested to please share your KYC documents with MYACE via email on kycsupport@myacecourierservices.in with the air waybill/reference number of your shipment in the subject line.
The below table provides more information about KYC documents required for customs clearance as mandated by Indian Customs vide CBEC Circulars 09/2010, 33/2010 and 07/2015 for identification/ verification of importers/exporters for customs clearance performed on their behalf by MYACE acting as an authorised courier.
Any one self-certified document is sufficient if it contains both Identity (Photo) and Address Proof.
In case an Individual wants the delivery to a different address or the given KYC document does not match with the delivery address, please provide below any one of the additional self-certified document to record the proof of delivery address.
Companies/Firms/Trusts/ Foundations registered under GST (Any one document with IEC). If customers have registered under different branches across India, please provide all registered GSTN data
Companies/Firms not registered under GST - Any two documents
Partnership firms not registered under GST- Any two documents
Partnership firms not registered under GST- Any two documents
Partnership firms not registered under GST- Any two documents
Foreign National residing in India or visits India - Passport and Visa/PIO card self certified copies are mandatory. Additionally please provide any ONE of the following address proof document. The address on this document should match with the delivery address.
Documents to be obtained:
Diplomats/Govt. Organisations/ Govt. Research Institutes or any Govt. Authorities etc as prescribed under para 2.07 HBP 2015-20 i.e. Categories of importer and exporter that are exempted from obtaining IEC
The IEC will be either Unique Identification Number (UIN) issued by GSTN and authorized by DGFT or any common number notified by DGFT.
Once the shipment is booked at the origin, MYACE will send an auto generated message to the consignee on the phone number or the email address provided on the air waybill to request for the KYC documents. Hence, it is essential for the shipper to ensure that the consignee’s name, address and contact details on the air waybill and invoice are completely accurate.
Consignees/importers must upload their correct KYC through the link shared in the SMS/email to avoid possible delays in import clearance. The name and address on the KYC documents must match the name and address mentioned on the air waybill and invoice.
Customs clearance will be initiated upon receipt of satisfactory KYC documents. All KYCs uploaded directly through link or shared through any other medium are validated before they are submitted to customs.
Note: For all regular and Business to Business customers, KYC documents are only required the first time unless there are changes in the previously provided documents. Regular customers must inform MYACE of any changes in their KYCs to ensure smooth operations.
What is KYC & why do you need it?
KYC or Know Your Customer is a process of identifying and verifying the identity of the consignee/importer which needs to be presented to Indian Customs during the import clearance process, without which the shipment cannot be cleared. MYACE as your clearance partner, requires your KYC for hassle free customs clearance.
What KYC do I need to provide?
As your authorized clearance partner MYACE has to comply with the regulatory requirements of producing KYC documents at the time of clearance hence you are requested to submit the same prior to clearance.
If I do not have any of the documents listed above to show my ‘proof of identity’, can I still get my shipment delivered as I am a foreign national staying in India?
Please share your passport and visa/ PIO number as proof of identity. Alternatively, please click here for the list of valid KYC (Know Your Customer) documents required for foreign nationals staying in India.
I have ordered a shipment for personal use but as I am in office throughout the day, I need it to be delivered at my office / work address. Can MYACE deliver my shipment at my office address?
Yes, but if your office address isn't listed on personal documents, you'll need to upload proof of address, such as an employee ID card, offer letter, or appointment letter.
Yes. MYACE can deliver the shipment at your office address. Unless your office address is listed on any of your personal documents, MYACE may request you to upload any one of the following documents as address proof . Your name and office address on this document should always match with the consignee name and delivery address.
If my name has been changed / name on the shipment is post marriage but name on KYC documents are before marriage and I do not have any OVD (Officially Valid Documents) as KYC in the new name, how can I get my shipment cleared?
A copy of the name change certificate/ marriage certificate/ affidavit notarized by the State Government or Gazette notification indicating change in name, together with a certified copy of Officially Valid Documents in your prior name and new address proof will be required to clear your shipment
How can I get my shipment cleared if it's ordered under my pet/nick name?
Please provide your ID and address proof document along with an notarized affidavit which states that the nick / pet name and name on your KYC document is of the same individual.
Do I have to furnish KYC documents each time I order online or when I import into India?
No. You do not have to furnish KYC documents each time you order online or import into India. Once you share your KYC with MYACE, our company will not ask you to share it again as it is saved in our internal KYC portal for future reference.
My friend/ relative/ family member has ordered/ imported the shipment on my behalf, would MYACE accept my KYC for customs clearance as the shipment is meant for me?
Customs needs the KYC of the consignee/ importer for clearance, to whom the shipment is addressed. Hence, MYACE will not accept the KYC of any other person.
I have never shared my KYC with other service providers either while ordering any shipment online or importing it from another country. Why do I need to share it with MYACE? KYC documents need to be presented to Customs during the import clearance process. Hence, it is important that MYACE is provided with all the necessary KYC documents before the shipment arrives in India to avoid clearance delays.
Where is the customs circular available? OR Can I get a copy of the regulation stating that KYC needs to be submitted?
The circular is available on the CBEC website www.cbec.gov.in. Please refer to Circular No.9/2010 - Customs dated 8th April 2010 on KYC norms for Courier.
I have already submitted my KYC while ordering the product online. Why do I need to share my KYC with MYACE?
Your online retailer has an agreement with MYACE to import, customs clear & deliver the items you ordered. As MYACE do not have access to the internal system of your online retailer where your order is placed, your KYC is required by MYACE for customs clearance in India.
How does MYACE guarantee my KYC is not misused ?
Please try again later, as network congestion may delay OTPs.
We at MYACE take utmost care of our customer’s personal details by storing them in a specialized customer KYC portal which can only be accessed by our trained KYC helpdesk executive. As a customs compliant company, MYACE assures you that your KYC will be used only for customs clearance purpose.
If the shipment has been imported for the company on my behalf, why does MYACE require KYC of the company employee ?
In case the shipment terms selected during booking of the shipment at origin are B2B (Business to Business), customs require the KYC of the company for clearance. But if the shipment terms are B2C (Business to Customer), customs require the KYC of the company employee for clearance. Depending on the shipment terms agreed during booking, MYACE may ask for the KYC of either the company or company employee.
I got a SMS and tried to upload my KYC but I am unable to receive the OTP.
Please try again after sometime because sometimes due to network congestion your carrier may delay the OTP.
Can I import without IEC ?
According to Foreign Trade Policy of India, IEC is compulsory for import and exports. Import Export Code or IE Code is required for every person or firm or company or entity engaged in import - export business in India. IE Code is provided by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as required under the Foreign Trade Policy. No person is allowed to export or import goods without obtaining IE Code. Further, for availing benefit under Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) or Service Export from India Scheme (SEIS), IE code is a mandatory requirement. However certain category of importers and exporters are exempt from obtaining IE Code which are as follows :
- Ministries or Departments of Central or State Government - Persons importing or exporting goods for person use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture - Persons importing or exporting goods from or to Nepal, Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar border areas and China, provided CIF value of a single consignment does not exceed Rs.25000. In case of Nathula port, the applicable exemption ceiling is Rs.1 lakh. Exemption from obtaining IE code is not applicable in case of export of special chemicals, organisms, materials, equipments and technologies listed in Appendix 3 of Schedule 2 of ITC HS.
IE Code: 0100000011 – All Ministries or Departments of the Central Government and agencies wholly or partially owned by them.
IE Code: 0100000039 – Diplomatic personnel, Counselor Officers in India and the officials of the UNO and specialized agencies.
IE Code: 0100000045 – Indians returning from/going abroad and claiming benefit under the Baggage Rules.
IE Code: 0100000053 – Persons/Institutions/Hospitals importing or exporting goods for their personnel use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture.
IE Code: 0100000061 – Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Nepal.
IE Code: 0100000070 – Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar border areas.
IE Code: 0100000088 – Ford Foundation.
IE Code: 0100000096 – Importers importing goods for display or use in fairs/exhibitions or similar events under provisions of ATA carnet. This IE code number can also be used by importers importing for exhibitions/fairs.
IE Code: 0100000100 – Director, National Blood Group Reference Laboratory, Mumbai or their authorized offices.
IE Code: 0100000126 – Individuals/Charitable Institutions/Registered NGSs importing goods, which have been exempted from Customs duty under the notification issued by Ministry of Finance for bonafide use by the victims affected by natural calamity.
IE Code: 0100000134 – Persons importing/exporting permissible goods as notified from time to time, from/to China through Gunji, Namgaya Shipkila and Nathula ports, subject to value ceilings of single consignment.
IE Code: 0100000169 – Non-commercial imports and exports by entities who have been authorized by Reserve Bank of India.
