Definition
The process of getting goods released by customs through declaration, document checks, and duty payment.
Customs clearance is the procedure of presenting a shipment to the customs authority for import or export — lodging the declaration, supplying invoices and certificates, classifying the goods, and paying any duties and taxes — until customs releases the cargo.
Clearance can be straightforward or involve inspection, valuation queries, or licence checks. A customs broker usually handles it on the importer’s behalf, and delays here are a frequent cause of demurrage at the port.
Related terms
Customs Declaration
The formal statement to customs of a shipment’s goods, value, and origin used to assess duty and controls.
Customs Broker
A licensed specialist who clears goods through customs on behalf of importers and exporters.
Customs Duty
A tax levied on imported goods, calculated from their customs value, HS classification, and origin.
Bonded Warehouse
A secure facility where imported goods can be stored under customs control with duty deferred until release.
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