What is Bank Guarantee for customs?

A bank guarantee for customs is a financial instrument provided by a bank on behalf of an importer or exporter to ensure compliance with customs regulations. It acts as a security for customs authorities to ensure payment of duties, taxes, or fulfillment of import conditions—especially when availing exemptions under schemes like IGCR.

Key Features
Purpose: Acts as a safeguard, ensuring customs duties and conditions are met.
Types:
• Customs Duty Guarantee: Ensures payment of duties under concessional schemes.
• Bonded Warehouse Guarantee: For goods stored in bonded warehouses.
• Temporary Import Guarantee: For re-exportable goods like those for exhibitions.

How It Works:
The importer arranges the guarantee from a bank and submits it to customs. If obligations are unmet, customs can invoke the guarantee to recover dues.

Security Amount:
Usually equals the potential liability, including duties and taxes.

Release:
Once conditions are fulfilled, the guarantee is released. If not, it is encashed by customs.

What is a Customs Guarantee?
A customs guarantee is a broader term referring to any form of financial security—such as a bank guarantee, insurance bond, or surety bond—given to customs to ensure compliance. It applies in scenarios like deferred duties, temporary imports, or warehousing. While bank guarantees are the most common form, customs may accept other instruments depending on the nature of the transaction and risk involved.