What Does Customs Cleared Mean For International Shipping?

Table Of Content hide

4 What Does Customs Cleared Mean For Imported Goods?

5 Who Handles Paperwork and Payments Needed For Customs Clearance?

6 Get your shipments customs cleared quickly and smoothly

One of the most common challenges businesses face in international shipping is when shipments must go through customs to be customs cleared before they can reach their final destination. Customs clearance is a vital process that process ensures that goods comply with the destination country’s import and export regulations. It involves reviewing documentation, assessing the shipment, calculating duties and taxes, and obtaining approval from customs authorities. Once a shipment is customs released, it is authorized to enter the country and continue its journey to the final destination.

In this article, we’ll explain the customs clearance process in detail, what it means for your goods when they are customs released, and why completing this process correctly is essential for smooth delivery.

What is customs clearance?

Customs clearance is the process of customs authorities reviewing and approving an import or export shipment to ensure compliance with the destination country’s regulations. It involves submitting accurate documentation, assessing the paperwork, calculating applicable duties and taxes, and completing payments to release the goods for transport.

Proper customs clearance ensures shipments move smoothly across borders without delays, penalties, or legal issues.

What do customs cleared mean?

The term “customs cleared” refers to the official approval granted by customs authorities after a shipment has successfully passed the customs clearance process. Once a shipment is customs-released, it is authorized to enter the country and proceed to its final destination.

Customs Clearance Process

The customs clearance process is a fundamental aspect of international trade, ensuring goods meet the import and export regulations of the destination country.

Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to understanding this process:

Pre-Arrival Documentation Preparation

Before goods reach the port of entry, it is essential to prepare and submit the necessary documents. These typically include:

Commercial Invoice: A detailed record of the shipment’s contents and value.
Packing List: A breakdown of items within the shipment.
Bill of Lading (BOL): A transport document that outlines shipment details.
Import License (if applicable): Authorization required for specific categories of goods.

Submission of Customs Declaration

Upon arrival, the importer or their customs brokerage provider submits a customs declaration. This document provides detailed information, including:

The nature of goods.
Their Harmonized System HS Code.
Quantity and value.

Declarations are typically submitted through local customs systems, such as the Nafeza platform in Egypt.

Inspection and Verification

Customs authorities review the shipment to ensure compliance with regulations.

This process may involve:

Documentary Inspection: Verifying the accuracy of submitted paperwork.
Physical Inspection: Checking goods to confirm they match their description.

Payment of Duties and Taxes

Customs duties, VAT, and other applicable taxes are calculated and paid.

These depend on:

The HS and HTS Code of the goods.
The value of the shipment.
The country of origin.

Clearance Decision

After completing inspections and payments, customs authorities issue a clearance decision, formally approving the goods for release.

Delivery of Goods

Once the clearance is completed, the goods can be transported to their final destination. Importers ensure all transport and delivery arrangements are in place for timely delivery.

What Does Customs Cleared Mean For Imported Goods?

When goods are marked customs cleared, it means that customs authorities have granted permission for the shipment to enter the country after completing the customs clearance process. The shipment is now authorized to proceed to its final destination without further customs inspections or delays.

At this stage, sellers must ensure that all customs documentation is accurate and complete. Missing or incorrect paperwork can cause delays in the clearance process, leading to potential fines or other complications. Properly filled-out documents are key to ensuring the goods move smoothly and efficiently toward delivery.

Who Handles Paperwork and Payments Needed For Customs Clearance?

Traditionally, the partying the key responsibilities of an IOR or the consignee (usually the buyer) is tasked with managing the required documentation and making necessary payments throughout the import process. However, these responsibilities can vary based on the Incoterms for risk-free shipping specified in the shipping contract.

Egypt IOR acts as the third-party Importer of Record (IOR) provider. It is responsible for declaring the paperwork, paying the associated fees, and receiving the shipment.

An IOR is a legal entity designated to handle the customs clearance process. It ensures that the goods are released by customs and legally imported. This entity is also responsible for compliance both at the time of clearance and for several years following a successful import. Essentially, the IOR is appointed by the buyer/consignee or seller/shipper to manage the customs formalities and ensure compliance with regulations

Get your shipments customs cleared quickly and smoothly

At Egypt IOR, we specialize in managing the entire customs clearance process for you, ensuring your imported goods meet all local regulatory standards. Our comprehensive services include acting as your Importer of Record (IOR) and providing trusted EOR solutions, where we handle all necessary documentation, compliance, and regulatory obligations for both imports and exports.

In addition, we provide DDP Shipping Solutions that handle all import duties, taxes, and associated fees, ensuring your goods reach their destination seamlessly and without complications. By collaborating with us, you can concentrate on your core business activities while we manage customs clearance, guarantee timely delivery, and ensure all legal requirements are fulfilled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once your customs are released, Egypt IOR will transport your goods from the bonded warehouse to their final destination. This step ensures a seamless transition from customs clearance to delivery, with all logistics managed efficiently to ensure your goods reach you on time and in the best condition.

Typically, customs clearance takes one to two days, provided the shipment complies with all regulatory requirements, including accurate and complete documentation. However, if any discrepancies or missing information arise, delays may occur, extending the clearance process. Once approved, delivery times are dependent on your specific location and logistics arrangements, but we work to ensure swift and timely delivery.

Declaring at customs refers to formally notifying the customs authorities of goods being shipped across international borders. The Customs Declaration provides detailed information about the shipment, including its value, contents, and origin. This declaration is crucial as goods are typically subject to customs duties, taxes, and other fees, which are calculated based on the nature of the goods and the regulations of the destination country.

‘Customs Clearance Completed’ means that your shipment has successfully passed through the customs process, having met all regulatory requirements for entry into the destination country. At this stage, all necessary duties, taxes, and documentation have been processed, and the goods are now cleared for delivery. Customs clearance completion signals that the goods can move from the customs zone to their final destination without further hindrance.