India Allowing Scanned Pre-Shipment Certificates During COVID-19 Pandemic

India will temporarily accept scanned copies of pre-shipment inspection certificates for customs clearances instead of physical copies, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a May 6 notice from the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The measure, which will last through June 30, was introduced because “importers have been finding it difficult to submit the original copy” due to the “lock down,” the directorate said. Although importers can submit a scanned version of the document, they must submit a physical copy within 60 days of the goods clearing customs and submit a declaration certifying that the document contains correct information.