KYC
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About KYC
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 Amex 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 recognized identity and address proof) need to be presented to customs during the import clearance process. Hence, it is important that Amex 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 Authorized Express Operator, it has now become very critical for entire Amex's India and worldwide network to support and comply with the Indian Customs Regulations for obtaining authorization 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, Amex needs to obtain the authorization letter along with KYC documents mandatorily and retain it for any audit purposes by the customs authorities.
Please refer the enclosed format of the authorization letter [download here] which needs to be obtained by Amex along with KYC documents.
Obligations of Authorized Courier
Obligations of Authorized Courier
An Authorized Courier shall :
Obtain an authorization, from each of the consignees or consignors of the imported goods for whom or from whom such courier has imported such goods; or consignees or consignors of such export goods which such courier proposes to export, to the effect that the authorized courier may act as agent of such consignee or consignor, as the case may be, for clearance of such imported or export goods by the proper officer.
Provided that for import of documents, gifts and samples, and low value dutiable consignments for which declaration have been filed in, form-B or the Courier Bill of Entry-XI (CBE-XI), form C or the Courier Bill of Entry-XII (CBE-XII) or form-D or Courier Bill of Entry- XIII (CBE-XIII) respectively, the authorization may be obtained at the time of delivery of the consignment to consignee subject to the production of consignors authorization at pre-clearance stage and retention of authorization obtained from the consignee for a period of one year or date of audit by customs, whichever is earlier.
Verify the antecedent, correctness of the IEC number, identity of his client and the functioning of his client in the declared address by using reliable, independent, authentic documents, data, or information.
Exercise due diligence to ascertain the correctness and completeness of any information which he submits to the proper officer with reference to any work related to the clearance of imported goods or of export goods.
You are requested to please share your KYC documents with Amex via e-mail on customercare@amexair.com 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 Amex acting as an authorized courier.
KYC Documents
Individual - Resident Indian
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.
Bank Account Statement
Electricity Bill
Telephone Bill
Hotel Booking Receipt in case the delivery address is a hotel
LPG Connection document with address
Rent Agreement
Individual below 18 years of age can also provide a Birth Certificate as Proof of Identity. However, one ID proof of the Parent / Guardian is also required with address proof.
Documents to be obtained
Aadhar card
Valid Passport
Voter ID
Companies/Firms/Trusts/ Foundations registered under GST
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
Documents to be obtained
IEC (Importer Exporter Code) - Mandatory
GST No
PAN card
Companies/Firms not registered under GST
Companies/Firms not registered under GST - Any two documents
Documents to be obtained
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum of Association
Articles of Association
Power of Attorney granted to its managers, officers or employees to transact business on its behalf
Telephone bill in the name of the company
PAN allotment letter
Partnership firms not registered under GST
Partnership firms not registered under GST- Any two documents
Documents to be obtained
Registration certificate, if registered
Partnership deed
Power of Attorney(PoA) granted to a partner or an employee to transact business on its behalf
Any officially valid document identifying the partners and the person holding the PoA and their addresses
Telephone bill in the name of firm/partners
Trusts/Foundations not registered under GST - Any two documents
Partnership firms not registered under GST- Any two documents
Documents to be obtained
Certificate of registration, if registered
Power of Attorney (PoA) granted to transact business on its behalf
Any officially valid document to identify the trustees, settlers, beneficiaries and those holding the PoA, founders / managers / directors and their addresses
Resolution of the managing body of the foundation/association
Telephone bill in the name of trust/foundation
Name of trustees, settlers, beneficiaries and signatories
Name and address of the founder, the managers, Directors and the beneficiaries, in full, complete and correct.
Telephone and fax number, e-mail address of the trust, founder and trustees.
Foreign National residing in India or visits India
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.
Address proof of relative/friend if staying with them
Hotel Booking Receipt
Rent Agreement
Stay Visa
A deputation letter from the Parent company with duration of stay confirmation
Documents to be obtained
Passport
Visa / PIO card
Diplomats/Govt. Organizations/ Govt. Research Institutes or any Govt.
Diplomats/Govt. Organizations/ 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.
Documents to be obtained
The IEC will be either Unique Identification Number (UIN) issued by GSTN and authorized by DGFT or any common number notified by DGFT.
KYC Process for Consignee's in India
Once the shipment is booked at the origin, Amex 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.
If satisfactory KYC documents are not received within 15 calendar days, the shipment will be considered undeliverable and disposed with charges, if any, and will be billed back to the shipper.
Note : For all regular and Business to Business customers, we require KYC documents only at the first time unless there are any changes in the previously given KYC documents. All regular customers have to inform Amex for any changes in the KYCs time to time for seamless operations.
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