AEO-Certified Project Import Reg. 1986 Est. 1988 ODC · Heavy Lift · Break Bulk

Project Logistics —
ODC, Heavy Lift & Project Cargo

Industrial projects move cargo that breaks every standard rule — dimensions, weight, routing, and customs classification. NG Pillai handles ODC (over-dimensional cargo), heavy lift, break bulk, and Project Import Regulation 1986 clearance for capital goods, plant and machinery, and infrastructure projects across India.

What We Handle

Project logistics services

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Over-Dimensional Cargo (ODC)

Road transport of cargo exceeding standard dimensions. Permit processing with State Road Transport Authorities, police escort coordination, route survey, and pilot vehicle arrangement.

Heavy Lift — Sea Freight

Open Top, Flat Rack, and Break Bulk ocean freight for machinery and structures that exceed standard container dimensions. Vessel booking, lashing/securing, and port crane coordination.

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Project Import Regulation 1986

Registration under heading 9801 for concessional duty on industrial project imports. Classification, bond execution, Customs notification compliance, and EODC filing post-installation.

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Capital Equipment Clearance

Import clearance for industrial machinery, turbines, generators, reactors, and plant equipment. Classification under applicable HS codes, duty assessment, and site delivery coordination.

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Route Survey & Planning

Pre-movement route survey identifying obstructions — bridges, overhead cables, narrow sections — and obtaining necessary structural clearances for heavy transport.

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Multi-Modal Project Moves

Combinations of sea, rail, and road for project cargo movement from port to plant site. Inland container depot coordination at ICD Tughlakabad or Patparganj for north India sites.

Project Import Regulation 1986

Customs clearance for industrial projects

Project Import Regulation 1986 (PIR) allows industrial projects to import all equipment and machinery required to set up the project under a single customs heading (9801) at a concessional basic customs duty rate, rather than paying separate rates for each item under its standard HS code. For projects involving large equipment bills, this can represent significant duty savings.

Aspect Detail
Applicable heading 9801 — Project imports, laboratory reagents, passenger baggage, personal imports by air
Concessional BCD rate 5.5% (as against varied rates 7.5%–15% under individual HS codes) — subject to applicable customs notification at time of import
Registration timing Must be registered with Customs before first consignment arrives at port — critical timing
Bond requirement Execution of surety bond or bank guarantee for the duty difference before clearance
Post-import obligation Installation certificate from a gazetted officer after project commissioning, filed with Customs for bond discharge
Who qualifies Industrial undertakings setting up new projects or expanding existing capacity. Not applicable to individual equipment replacements
How It Works

Project cargo — from overseas to project site

01

Project scope assessment

We review the project equipment list, HS classification of all items, weight and dimensional specs, and project site location. We advise on PIR 1986 eligibility, duty savings, and optimal routing.

02

Project Import registration

Application filed with Customs before first consignment arrives. Registration covers all equipment items listed in the project import list. This timing is critical — retroactive registration is not permitted.

03

Sea/air freight — origin to Indian port

Freight booking for OOG items (Open Top, Flat Rack, or Break Bulk vessel) or standard containers for regular equipment. Lashing and securing at origin port, carrier documentation, and pre-alert to India.

04

Port customs clearance

Bill of Entry filed under Project Import heading 9801. AEO-expedited examination, duty assessment at concessional rate, surety bond execution, and port release. Port-to-ICD container move for further inland transport.

05

Inland transport — ODC where applicable

Heavy transport from port or ICD to project site. ODC permits, route survey, police escort, pilot vehicles, and over-bridge clearances arranged before movement commences.

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Bond discharge after commissioning

After project commissioning, installation certificate is obtained and filed with Customs. Bond or bank guarantee discharged. Final duty reconciliation completed.

Industries We Serve

Sectors with project cargo requirements

Sector Typical Project Cargo Key Logistics Challenge
Power & Energy Transformers, turbines, generators, boilers, wind nacelles ODC dimensions; weight 50–500 MT; remote site access
Oil & Gas / Refinery Pressure vessels, reactors, heat exchangers, compressors Hazardous material classification; extreme weights
Steel & Metals Rolling mills, melting furnaces, casting machines Multi-consignment phased delivery; site coordination
Cement & Mining Kiln sections, ball mills, crushers, conveyors Remote site locations; dusty/rough road conditions
Pharma / Chemical Plant Reactors, pressure vessels, distillation columns Hazmat classification; precision handling requirements
Infrastructure Bridge girders, pre-cast concrete elements, metro structures Extreme length ODC; urban route constraints
FAQ

Project logistics questions

What is ODC cargo and how is it different from regular freight?
ODC (Over-Dimensional Cargo) refers to shipments that exceed standard dimensions or weight limits for regular road transport. In India, cargo is generally classified as ODC if it exceeds 12m in length, 2.5m in width, or 3m in height, or if its weight exceeds the vehicle's permissible carrying capacity. ODC cargo requires special permits from State Road Transport Authorities, police escort, and sometimes infrastructure pre-survey.
What is Project Import Regulation 1986?
Project Import Regulation 1986 (PIR 1986) allows industrial projects to import all required equipment and machinery at a single concessional basic customs duty rate under heading 9801, rather than at varied rates under individual HS codes. To qualify, the importer must register with Customs before goods arrive. NG Pillai handles PIR registration, classification, and bond management.
What container types are used for out-of-gauge project cargo by sea?
OOG cargo is shipped using: Open Top containers (loaded from the top — no roof), Flat Rack containers (wide cargo, no side walls), or Break Bulk (cargo without a container, lashed to the vessel deck). Very heavy items may require specialised heavy-lift vessels. NG Pillai arranges the appropriate container type and coordinates lashing and securing at the port CFS.
How far in advance should a project logistics move be planned?
For ODC and heavy lifts, a minimum of 4–6 weeks before port arrival is recommended: PIR registration should be done before first goods arrive; route survey takes 1–2 weeks; ODC permits typically take 2–4 weeks per state crossed. For complex multi-state moves or very heavy lifts, 8–12 weeks advance planning is more appropriate. Contact us early — last-minute project cargo is consistently more expensive and more prone to delays.

Planning a project cargo move?

Share your project scope, equipment list, and site location. We'll advise on PIR eligibility, routing, ODC requirements, and a realistic timeline.

Start the Conversation +91 98113 54178
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