Covered and open storage close to the port, for cargo waiting on duty, on a buyer, or on space at your own plant. Storage is rarely the reason a client calls us, and frequently the thing that saves them the most money once they understand the bonded option.
Bonded and general storage
| Bonded warehouse | General warehouse | |
|---|---|---|
| Duty status | Duty deferred until goods are removed | Duty already paid |
| Customs control | Goods remain under customs control | Goods are free |
| Paperwork | Warehousing bond, then an ex-bond declaration on removal | None beyond your own records |
| Suits | High-duty goods, uncertain demand, staged release | Cleared stock awaiting distribution |
How bonded storage works
Imported goods are warehoused without paying duty at the time of import. Duty falls due when the goods are removed for home consumption, and only on the quantity removed. The mechanics run through a warehousing declaration on arrival and an ex-bond declaration each time you take stock out.
Interest may become payable if goods stay warehoused beyond the permitted period, and the permitted period differs by category of importer and goods, so the arithmetic is worth checking against your actual turnover before you commit.
When bonding is worth it
Bonding is not automatically cheaper. It trades a storage cost against a deferred duty cost, and whether that trade favours you depends on three things.
- Duty rate. The higher the duty, the more the deferral is worth. On a low-duty line the saving may not cover the warehouse charge.
- How long the stock sits. Deferral is worth most when you draw down over months. If everything moves within a fortnight, bonding adds paperwork and little else.
- Certainty of demand. If there is a real chance the goods will be re-exported rather than sold domestically, bonding keeps that option open without having paid duty you then have to claim back.
We would rather run the numbers on your actual consignment than publish a threshold that is wrong for your trade. Send the duty rate, the value and your expected drawdown and we will tell you whether it is worth doing.
Stuffing, de-stuffing and consolidation
- Supervised stuffing and de-stuffing, with tally sheets and photographs. The photographs matter more than clients expect — they are the evidence when a shortage or damage claim arises later.
- Consolidation of multiple suppliers into one container, which turns several LCL bills into one FCL.
- Repacking and palletisation where the cargo arrives in a form your plant cannot handle.
- Cross-docking for stock that only needs to pause rather than sit.
Stock reporting
Weekly position by SKU, batch or lot, in whatever format your accounts team already uses. We would rather match your existing spreadsheet than send you a report you have to re-key.
If your stock is bonded, the reporting also has to satisfy customs record-keeping requirements, which is a good reason to keep the storage and the clearance with the same firm.
Common questions
What is a bonded warehouse?
A facility where imported goods are stored under customs control without duty being paid at import. Duty falls due only when goods are removed for home consumption, and only on the quantity removed. It defers cost and preserves the option to re-export.
How long can goods stay in a bonded warehouse in India?
There is a permitted warehousing period that varies by category of importer and goods, after which interest may become payable. Because it depends on your specific position, it is worth confirming against your consignment before committing to a bonding strategy.
Do you offer temperature-controlled storage?
We arrange cold storage for seafood and other temperature-sensitive cargo through facilities we work with near the port, rather than operating it ourselves. Tell us the product and the temperature band and we will confirm what is available.
Can you consolidate shipments from several suppliers?
Yes. Cargo is received at our facility, checked against each supplier's packing list, and stuffed into one container. It usually beats paying LCL charges on several small consignments, and it gives you one document set instead of four.