Please share experiences with custom clearance at Mumbai port?

[21stCenturyRelo]

dear puner2i2011,

Our company is based in Mumbai with a branch office in NJ and in Mumbai we are involved in customs clearance for over 55 years now. If you have any specific questions I can help you with, do write them here and I would be happy to reply. Customs clearance in Mumbai is no different than at other ports in India but due to the enormous volumes handled, the process is streamlined and like a well oiled
machinery.

Yogesh - 21st Century Relocations

Please share experiences with custom clearance at Mumbai port? I have heard custom clearance at Mumbai port is difficult than other ports.

[dbs]

I have cleared customs at Mumbai, twice.
In 1999(?), just sailed through the green channel.
First time in 1973(?), it was not as easy. During those days, of course, the customs were much more stingy, every where.
Returning from Indonesia, I had picked up some sarees in Singapore. Those days one bought the material from a roll, cut to 6yds. Being the clever IT guy, I asked for a 12 yd cut. Two sarees in one. Will tell the custom guy that it is 1 saree.
Should have considered that I am the most unlucky guy. Have been lucky only once and that suffices for the entire life.
Those days one had to open out the suitcase and the customs would rummage through it to uncover dutiable goods.
Sure enough the custom officer assigned was a female. She picked up the saree and immediately said that these are two.
But there was no harrassment.