Customs Clearance

Customs Clearance refers to the entire process in which import and export goods, means of transport, or articles, when entering or leaving a country, are declared to customs in accordance with the law, subjected to supervision, required to pay tariffs, and undergo various procedures until customs release. In foreign trade, customs clearance is a key link in goods delivery, involving the completion of customs declaration forms, document review (such as invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and certificates of origin), payment of taxes and fees, and inspection. Use scenarios include import customs clearance, export customs clearance, and transit customs clearance. Precautions: it is necessary to ensure that documents are complete and accurate, and that commodity classification and declared value are truthful; otherwise, it may lead to delays, fines, or return of goods. Customs clearance requirements vary greatly among different countries; for example, the EU requires an EORI number, and the United States requires ISF filing. Difference from "customs declaration": customs declaration only refers to declaring to customs and is one step in customs clearance; customs clearance covers the entire process of declaration, inspection, taxation, and release. Difference from "customs finalization": customs finalization refers to customs ending supervision, while customs clearance emphasizes the process. In foreign trade contracts, the party responsible for customs clearance should be clearly specified (for example, under DDP the seller is responsible, and under EXW the buyer is responsible) to avoid disputes.