ICD Patli Customs Clearance: Complete Guide for Indian Used Clothing Importers

If you are importing second hand clothes from China to India, ICD Patli is the name you need to know. It is the primary Inland Container Depot currently used to clear used clothing and hosiery rags (HSN 63090000 / 63109040) entering India. This guide covers everything you need to clear your first container smoothly.

What is ICD Patli?

ICD Patli is an Inland Container Depot located in Haryana, approximately 60 km from Delhi. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Customs Commissionerate, Delhi. Since the Indian government restricted used clothing imports to designated ports, ICD Patli has become the primary clearance point for second hand clothing containers entering India.

Key facts:

• Location: Patli, Haryana (near Gurgaon)
• Jurisdiction: Delhi Customs Commissionerate
• Commodity: Used clothing (HSN 63090000), hosiery rags (HSN 63109040)
• Container types accepted: 20ft and 40HQ

Why ICD Patli?

The Indian government designated ICD Patli as the primary clearance point to:

1. Centralise inspection and fumigation verification
2. Control the flow of used clothing into the domestic market
3. Facilitate physical examination by trained customs officers

Containers arriving at other ports (Chennai, Mumbai JNPT, Kolkata) for used clothing may face redirection or clearance complications. The established and reliable routing is Pipavav or Mundra → ICD Patli.

Required Documents Checklist

Before your container arrives at ICD Patli, ensure your customs broker (CHA) has all of the following:

Mandatory Documents

• Bill of Lading (Original or Telex Release)
• Commercial Invoice — must state HSN 63090000 and the exact cargo description
• Packing List — bale count, individual bale weight, total net/gross weight
• Fumigation Certificate — issued by a China-certified fumigation company; must cover the entire container
• Certificate of Origin — CCPIT Form A or standard CO
• Import Export Code (IEC) — your company's IEC number

Cargo Description — Two Product Types, Two Descriptions

The cargo description on your commercial invoice and packing list must match the actual goods. There are two approved descriptions used at ICD Patli:

For sorted garments and worn clothing bales (HSN 63090000):

SECOND HAND CLOTHES

For hosiery rags / synthetic rags (HSN 63109040):

UNSERVICEABLE PREMUTILATED AND FUMIGATED SYNTHETICS / HOSIERY RAGS

Do not use the hosiery rags description for worn clothing bales, or vice versa. Mismatching the cargo description to the actual goods is one of the most common causes of customs queries at ICD Patli. Confirm the correct wording with your CHA before filing.

Additional Documents (Sometimes Required)

• Test Report — fabric composition test from a NABL-accredited lab (sometimes requested)
• Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate — if your buyer requires it
• Bank documents — for LC-based transactions

Customs Duty Structure

As of 2025, the applicable duties for HSN 63090000 (worn clothing) are:

Duty Component	Rate
Basic Customs Duty (BCD)	20%
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS)	10% of BCD = 2%
IGST	5%
Effective Total	~27.6%

Note: Duty rates are subject to change. Always confirm with your CHA before filing.

The assessable value is based on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight to Indian port).

Physical Examination

ICD Patli typically subjects used clothing containers to 100% physical examination. This means:

• All bales are offloaded from the container
• Customs officers inspect for prohibited items (new clothing, electronics, etc.)
• Fumigation is visually verified
• Bale count and weight are cross-checked against the packing list

Examination timeline: 3–7 working days after container arrival at ICD Patli.

Common Reasons for Delay

1. Wrong cargo description — using "used clothes" instead of the approved wording
2. Fumigation certificate issues — expired, missing, or not covering the full container
3. Mismatch in bale count — packing list says 360 bales but physical count differs
4. Missing IEC — your IEC must be active and valid
5. Prohibited items found — new clothing mixed with used, or non-textile items

Timeline: Port to Clearance

Stage	Estimated Time
Shekou/Nansha/Huangpu → Pipavav/Mundra	10–14 days
Pipavav/Mundra → ICD Patli (rail)	3–5 days
Document filing (Bill of Entry)	1–2 days
Physical examination	3–7 working days
Duty payment and out-of-charge	1–2 days
Total (port to clearance)	18–30 days

Choosing a Good CHA at ICD Patli

Your Customs House Agent (CHA) is critical. Look for a CHA who:

• Has experience specifically with used clothing / hosiery rags at ICD Patli
• Knows the current examination officers and procedures
• Can handle document queries quickly

Belofy can recommend experienced CHAs at ICD Patli upon request.

Belofy's Documentation Support

When you order from Belofy, we provide:

• Commercial Invoice with correct HSN and cargo description
• Packing List with bale-level detail
• Fumigation Certificate from a certified Chinese fumigation company
• Certificate of Origin (CCPIT)
• Bill of Lading coordination

Contact our India team for a full documentation checklist and current pricing.