Customs Clearance

To understand customs clearance and make sure your goods are shipped safely, securely and quickly, here are the main things you need to know about this process.

• Customs clearance is mandatory – all your goods need to go through it to pass a border.
• Not everything can be shipped – some goods are prohibited, whilst others need licences.
• Regulations differ per country, compelling you to always be aware of them and their potential changes.
• Paperwork is the biggest part of customs clearance and making mistakes whilst filling it or providing the wrong one will delay your shipments.
• Taxes, duties and fees need to be paid. Their amount depends on your shipment, and it will be decided by an officer after examining your documents.
• Your goods will be held until your documents are cleared and all fees are paid. A quick process can then take many days if done wrong.

Customs Clearance is a legal requirement when exporting or importing– it ensures that shipments travel safely through borders, and that no illegal goods are slipping through customs. It is also essential to a country’s economy, and it guarantees that the right fees and taxes are paid to its government whilst keeping everyone safe.

On the other hand, it is important for you to handle customs clearance well and be aware of all the regulations because of it being such an important, mandatory process – legal issues even being possible if mistakes are made. What’s more, any hurdles are guaranteed to delay your shipment – and there is nothing more precious than the smooth progress of your supply chain.

Even though customs clearance can be a quick process that’s carried out in less than 24 hours, several steps come into play, and failure to provide the right documents, for example, can prolong the process by hours or even days. And to add to this complexity, the requirements differ by country.

This is why it is essential to be aware of all the laws regarding customs clearance, or to choose a partner with customs clearance expertise who can handle this task for you. Your documents, how well they’re filled, and the type of your shipment, can all influence the time your goods will stay in customs clearance.

You can take care of customs clearance yourself if you’d like, though we highly recommend that you find a partner that can alleviate this complex process for you and handle as many steps as possible.

International trade laws change frequently, and each country has its own regulations – keeping in touch with all of this can be challenging and time-consuming. At Maersk, we understand your supply chain needs and can guide you using our customs clearance expertise.

Indeed, since any mistake delays your deliveries, our experts always make sure your customs clearance goes as smoothly as possible, preventing any nasty surprises, facilitating the movement of your cargo, and keeping your customers happy.