Surat, India
Customs clearance in Surat
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Surat. Customs clearance in India is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Industries in Surat and how we support them
Surat is the world's main diamond cutting and polishing centre, and the Surat Diamond Bourse has added a large trading complex for the industry. The city is also India's centre for synthetic textiles and sarees, with weaving and processing units in estates such as Sachin and Pandesara, while Hazira hosts steel, petrochemical and heavy engineering plants. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with secure air freight via Mumbai under our own air waybills, On-Board Courier for high-value parcels, sea freight via Hazira and JNPT for textiles and chemicals, and customs clearance by our partner team in the Ziem network.
Operational logistics facts for Surat
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Surat Diamond Bourse | Cut and polished diamonds, jewellery | High-value parcels routed via BOM or by On-Board Courier |
| Hazira port | Containers, steel, chemicals | Sea freight right next to the city's heavy industry |
| Sachin and Pandesara textile estates | Synthetic fabrics, sarees, processed textiles | Pick-up arranged at mills for export sea or air freight |
| NH48 to Mumbai and Ahmedabad | Trucking to BOM and AMD | Choice of two international airports for each shipment |
Airports, seaports and connections in Surat
- AirportSurat
STV - AirportAhmedabad
AMD - AirportMumbai
BOM - SeaportHazira
Surat International Airport (STV) has a modest network with limited international cargo capacity, so most air freight from Surat is trucked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai or to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad. High-value diamond and jewellery shipments typically route through Mumbai, where the trade's import and export infrastructure is concentrated. For sea freight, Hazira port on the Tapi estuary next to the city handles containers and bulk cargo, with Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra as further container options.
NH48 connects Surat with Mumbai to the south and with Vadodara and Ahmedabad to the north, and is the main trucking route to BOM and AMD. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor runs through south Gujarat and carries container trains between the ports and northern India. Local roads link the Hazira industrial area with the city and the textile estates.
Clearance through the Ziem network in India
In India, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
Customs clearance in India
Ziem network
Customs clearance in India is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from India we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in India need an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC).
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
Who handles customs clearance for diamond exports from Surat?
Clearance is carried out by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. Diamond and jewellery exports have specific valuation and documentation requirements, which we review with you before the shipment leaves Surat.
Can sea imports for Surat be cleared at Hazira?
Yes. Containers arriving at Hazira can be cleared there and delivered to your site in Surat, or routed via Nhava Sheva or Mundra if those services suit the trade lane better. Clearance depends on complete documents and the importer's IEC.
What documents do textile exporters in Surat need?
Typically the commercial invoice, packing list, the exporter's IEC and, depending on the destination, a certificate of origin to claim preferential duty in the importing country. Our partner team files the shipping bill electronically via ICEGATE.