Customs Clearance

What Is Customs Clearance?

Customs clearance is the process of getting goods legally approved by a country's customs authority to enter or leave that country, including submitting documentation, paying applicable duties and taxes, and passing any required inspections.

How Does Customs Clearance Work?

A customs broker or the importer/exporter submits shipment documentation, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin, along with the correct HS code classification, to customs authorities. Customs reviews the declaration, assesses duties and taxes owed, and may select the shipment for physical inspection. Once duties are paid and any holds are released, the shipment is cleared to move onward.

What's Needed for Customs Clearance

• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Correct HS code classification
• Certificate of origin (where applicable)
• Import/export licenses or permits (for regulated goods)
• Payment of duties, taxes, and fees

Why Customs Clearance Matters

Customs delays are one of the most common causes of missed delivery windows, and unlike ocean transit time, they're often unpredictable, a single missing document or misclassified HS code can hold a shipment for days. Getting documentation right the first time, and knowing early when a shipment has been flagged, is critical to keeping the rest of the supply chain on schedule.