How to clear customs for international sea freight? (10 customs clearance tips for sea freight)

1. What is customs clearance

Customs clearance, also known as customs declaration, refers to the procedures that must be followed when goods enter or exit a country's customs border in accordance with various laws, regulations, and provisions. Customs clearance can only be completed after fulfilling all obligations, completing customs declaration, inspection, taxation, and release procedures, and then the goods can be released, and the owner or declarant can pick up the goods.

2. When to clear customs

Goods entering another country must go through customs clearance procedures according to regulations, and all items must go through international logistics customs clearance.

3. What documents are needed for customs clearance

B/L, invoice, packing list, contract, certificate of origin, packaging declaration

4. Who is responsible for customs clearance

When the shipper delivers the goods, they can be responsible for customs clearance themselves, or they can entrust a freight forwarder to handle customs clearance, or the consignee can be responsible for customs clearance. Similar to import and export agents, customs clearance agents are responsible for freight forwarder customs clearance. According to the requirements of the freight forwarder, provide the corresponding documents, and after the freight forwarder approves, they will be responsible for customs clearance. After the goods arrive in the destination country, the consignee will go to the customs to handle the customs clearance.

5. Payment of customs clearance fees

Documentary fee, bill fee, freight, document fee, customs clearance fee, payment of fees, other fees (each company has different fee standards)

6. Customs clearance precautions

Goods must be declared according to customs policies and requirements, including item name, quantity, weight, declared value of goods, and corresponding supporting documents for special items.

Be familiar with the customs policies of the destination country. Some countries have special policies, such as ENS declaration required for EU and US member countries, and some countries require fumigation and disinfection of wooden packaging or origin certificates.

7. How long does customs clearance take

The time required to process customs clearance varies depending on the method of importing goods.

Normal bill of lading: 0.5 days

Customs clearance time: 4 hours

Container pickup + delivery: within 1 day

8. Reasons for customs clearance delays

1. Goods themselves: Each country has prohibited goods from entering, so it is important to know general item restrictions to avoid customs seizure.

2. Agent or shipper reasons: Incomplete or incorrect information on the goods, or factors related to the choice of logistics transportation.

3. Customs reasons: Customs routine inspection of goods.

4. Other reasons: Such as natural disasters.

9. Solutions for detained goods

First, understand the specific reasons for the goods being detained. If it is due to incomplete documentation or missing customs declaration, then provide the required documents and pay the necessary taxes; if it is counterfeit goods or other prohibited imports, then the only option may be to abandon or destroy the goods.

10. Bill of lading, go to the freight forwarder or shipping company to change the D/O

Electronic declaration

Computer pre-registration, review, submission, and contact with customs for release

Inspection declaration

After electronic declaration and release, handle the declaration procedures with the customs declaration form, obtain the customs clearance form or stamp.

On-site handover form

Inspection

Customs will conduct inspections based on the supervision conditions of the declared goods, and if selected for inspection, an inspection notice will be issued.

Tax payment form, release, bill of lading

The above is all the content shared by Baiyun Network in this issue. If you have any international logistics service needs, please consult Shenzhen Roysail professional international logistics consultant.