FAQ

The action of customs clearance is a compulsory process when a company ships internationally, whether by air or sea freight. The transporter has to acquire export clearance before any cargo can leave the port or airport of origin. Upon arrival at the destination country, import clearance is required before the freight can be delivered to the consignee.

In terms of customs clearance, the process for export and import clearance is very similar. However, importing materials and products will involve an assessment of the goods and payment of import taxes and duties.

For the most part, customs clearance is compulsory whenever you transport commercial goods from one country to another by land, air, or sea. There are certain exceptions though. For example, conveying goods between countries in the Schengen Area in Europe is possible without customs clearance as borders have been removed.

Also, smaller shipments may be exempted from the need for a formal customs clearance process. For instance, if you are shipping to the United States and your goods are valued less than $800, the shipment can declare Section 3211 to be exempted from the clearance procedure and payment of duties with some restrictions.
As import and export clearance procedures are rather country-specific, it’s essential that the trader does the necessary research or consults an expert, (normally a customs broker or freight forwarder).

As with the rest of our advice, documents can also be country or area-specific. Here we offer advice on the most universally important documents that customs authorities are most likely to request.
• A commercial Invoice
• A packing list
• The certificate of Origin
• A Letter of Credit (L/C) or other payment terms
• A Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
Other documents might be required depending on the nature of shipment

In the majority of international shipping situations, the seller is responsible for export customs clearance and the buyer for the import clearance. However, the exact prearrangement will depend on the agreed Incoterm for the sales transaction.
The customs procedure itself is completed by a customs broker who is a logistics expert and ensures that shipments meet all standards, laws, and regulations for the import and export of the goods. The customs broker creates the customs entry and assists with all necessary administration, calculation of duties and taxes, and the payments thereof.

For many countries, there is no legal requirement that you must hire a customs broker to clear imports. However, we recommend you working with a licensed customs broker because only customs brokers have the knowledge and experience to complete the duties of clearing goods through customs. Engage with an experienced customs broker to avoid mistakes, delays, or extra costs.

Forecasting the extent of the customs clearance procedure is problematic due to the great variety of systems and protocols globally. Typically, the import customs clearance can commence when goods are still in transit and prior to their arrival in the destination country, assuming that all the necessary documents are in place. Many nations offer online systems for submitting customs entries, permitting the authorities to release the goods in as little as 24 hours.
If customs authorities have questions, request additional documentation, or insist upon an inspection of the goods, the duration can be extended to a few days and even weeks. To avoid storage charges at the port or airport of arrival, it is important that the seller and buyer cooperate to provide the necessary documents.