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You can check bill of entry status on the ICEGATE portal using the port code and BOE number. Learn more about the steps to check BOE status in this blog.
Tracking your import shipment in India? Understanding your bill of entry (BOE) status is crucial for timely customs clearance. The BOE status on ICEGATE (i.e., Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) helps importers know whether their goods are under assessment, cleared, or pending documentation.
This blog breaks down what the ICEGATE bill of entry status means, the different types of BOE status, how to check the bill of entry status online, details included in the BOE, and common errors during status tracking.
This blog breaks down what the ICEGATE bill of entry status means, the different types of BOE status, how to check the bill of entry status online, details included in the BOE, and common errors during status tracking.
What is bill of entry (BOE) status?
A bill of entry (BOE) is a legal document filed by an importer or a customs broker with Indian Customs to initiate the clearance of imported goods. Once this document is submitted, its status on ICEGATE reflects the progress and approval stage of the consignment in the customs clearance process.
The bill of entry status essentially indicates where your shipment stands — whether it’s under assessment, has been cleared, or is held due to discrepancies. Staying updated with BOE status helps importers avoid penalties, storage charges, or unexpected shipment delays.1
The bill of entry status essentially indicates where your shipment stands — whether it’s under assessment, has been cleared, or is held due to discrepancies. Staying updated with BOE status helps importers avoid penalties, storage charges, or unexpected shipment delays.1
Importance of checking bill of entry status
Timely tracking of ICEGATE bill of entry status offers several operational and compliance advantages. Importers, freight forwarders, and logistics teams can make faster decisions, correct filing errors, and schedule deliveries efficiently. Some key benefits include:
● Avoiding delays in customs clearance by tracking processing stages.
● Planning warehouse and logistics arrangements accurately.
● Identifying and fixing document discrepancies before they lead to demurrage charges.
● Ensuring compliance with Indian import regulations and GST norms.
● Accessing duty payment receipts and acknowledgment documents.
Types of bill of entry status
The most common types of BOE statuses include:
● Document received: Customs has received the BOE, and processing will begin shortly.
● Under assessment: The BOE is being reviewed by the customs officer for valuation, classification, and compliance.
● Assessment completed / Assessed: The officer has completed assessment, and duty amount is finalized.
● Duty paid: The importer has paid the applicable customs duties.
● Out of charge (OOC): The shipment has been cleared by customs and is ready for delivery.
● Query raised: Additional information or clarification has been requested.
Contents of a bill of entry
A standard BOE contains multiple data fields that help customs verify and assess the value and classification of imported goods.
Some common BOE components include:
Some common BOE components include:
● IEC (Importer Exporter Code)
● Port of import and shipping bill number
● Name of importer and CHA (Customs House Agent)
● HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) codes and description of goods
● Quantity and invoice value
● Customs duty breakup (BCD, IGST, cess, etc.)
● Container numbers and freight details
● Date and time of submission
● Assessment and examination status
● Port of import and shipping bill number
● Name of importer and CHA (Customs House Agent)
● HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) codes and description of goods
● Quantity and invoice value
● Customs duty breakup (BCD, IGST, cess, etc.)
● Container numbers and freight details
● Date and time of submission
● Assessment and examination status
How to check bill of entry status online
Tracking the BOE status is essential to ensure smooth customs clearance and avoid potential demurrage or compliance delays. Here’s how you can check BOE status through the ICEGATE portal and the GST portal:
Method 1: Checking BOE status via the ICEGATE portal
● Step 1: Visit the ICEGATE homepage:
Go to www.icegate.gov.in, the Indian Customs' official e-filing platform for import/export document submission and tracking.
● Step 2: Navigate to ‘Tracking at ICES’:
On the homepage or under the ‘Services’ section, locate the ‘Tracking at ICES’ option.
● Step 3: Select ‘Bill of Entry’:
From the list of tracking services, click on ‘Bill of Entry’ to proceed with tracking your BOE.
● Step 4: Enter required details:
You will be asked to provide the port code, bill of entry number, bill of entry date (in DD/MM/YYYY format), and a captcha code. These details are usually available on your customs documents or provided by your customs house agent (CHA).
● Step 5: Click ‘Submit’:
After entering all the details, click ‘Submit.’ The system will display your bill of entry status, showing stages like Open, Ready, Assessed, or Closed (Out of Charge), depending on the document’s progress in the customs clearance workflow.5
Method 2: Checking BOE status via the GST portal
● Step 1: Visit the GST website:
Go to www.gst.gov.in and log in using your GSTIN credentials (if applicable).
● Step 2: Access ‘User Services’:
From the top navigation bar, click on ‘Services’ > ‘User Services’ > ‘Search BoE’.
● Step 3: Fill in required information:
Fill in the necessary fields, including port code, bill of entry number, bill of entry date, and reference date (if applicable). These are used to locate the relevant document in the system.
● Step 4: Click ‘Search’:
Once submitted, the BOE details will be shown, including date of filing, assessed value, and duty paid status.
● Step 5: Use ‘Query ICEGATE’ (if needed):
If no recent data is available on the GST portal, click the ‘Query ICEGATE’ button to fetch real-time BOE details directly from ICEGATE’s database.6
Common bill of entry status tracking errors and how to fix them
Error
Cause
How to fix it7
BOE not found
Incorrect BOE number or port code
Verify BOE details from shipping documents
Blank status field
System lag or document not yet processed
Wait 1-2 hours or retry after 24 hours
Captcha error
Entered wrong captcha code
Refresh the page and re-enter correct captcha
Status stuck at ‘Under Assessment’
File is under review or flagged by customs
Follow up with customs broker or CHA
Repeated session timeout
Browser or network error
Clear cache or try a different browser8
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should you check in a bill of entry?
The importer’s IGST, GST, and custom duty details are to be checked in a bill of entry.
2. Can a bill of entry be cancelled?
Yes, a bill of entry can be cancelled. Just click ‘cancel the bill of entry’ related to the purchase order on the ICEGATE portal.
3. How many types of BOE are there?
There are three types of BOE:
● BOE for house consumption
● BOE for warehousing
● BOE for ex-bonds goods9
● BOE for house consumption
● BOE for warehousing
● BOE for ex-bonds goods9
4. Who provides or issues a bill of entry?
Bill of entry is a formal and legal document that an importer files with the customs department to get clearance.
5. How do I get a copy of the bill of entry?
The copy of bill of entry can be obtained from the official website of ICEGATE. The importer can also approach the authorized bank to get an attested or certified copy of the bill of entry.
Published on September 30, 2022.
Updated on September 17, 2025.
Sources:
1. https://wareiq.com/resources/blogs/bill-of-entry-status/
2. https://www.bajajfinserv.in/how-to-track-icegate-bill-of-entry-status#:~:text=Importance%20of%20checking%20Bill%20of,without%20interruptions%20due%20to%20disputes.
3. https://blog.tatanexarc.com/logistics/icegate-bill-of-entry/
4. https://www.tataaig.com/knowledge-center/marine-insurance/bill-of-entry
5. https://afleo.com/icegate-bill-of-entry-filing-guide/
6. https://tutorial.gst.gov.in/userguide/taxpayersdashboard/Manual_boe.html
7. https://afleo.com/icegate-bill-of-entry-filing-guide/
8. https://blog.tatanexarc.com/logistics/icegate-bill-of-entry/
9. https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/freight-forwarding/difference-between-igm-bill-of-entry/
Updated on September 17, 2025.
Sources:
1. https://wareiq.com/resources/blogs/bill-of-entry-status/
2. https://www.bajajfinserv.in/how-to-track-icegate-bill-of-entry-status#:~:text=Importance%20of%20checking%20Bill%20of,without%20interruptions%20due%20to%20disputes.
3. https://blog.tatanexarc.com/logistics/icegate-bill-of-entry/
4. https://www.tataaig.com/knowledge-center/marine-insurance/bill-of-entry
5. https://afleo.com/icegate-bill-of-entry-filing-guide/
6. https://tutorial.gst.gov.in/userguide/taxpayersdashboard/Manual_boe.html
7. https://afleo.com/icegate-bill-of-entry-filing-guide/
8. https://blog.tatanexarc.com/logistics/icegate-bill-of-entry/
9. https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/freight-forwarding/difference-between-igm-bill-of-entry/
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