# Customs Cargo Declaration

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> A Customs Cargo Declaration is the formal document by which an importer, exporter, or licensed customs broker notifies the competent customs authority of a shipment and submits it for clearance.

A Customs Cargo Declaration is the formal document by which an importer, exporter, or licensed customs broker notifies the competent customs authority of a shipment and submits it for clearance. Required data includes commodity description, quantity, weight, Harmonized System (HS) code, customs value, and country of origin. Customs authorities use this information to assess applicable import duties, apply trade policy measures, and conduct automated risk profiling of the consignment. In the EU and most major trading nations, declarations are filed electronically, typically before or immediately upon arrival of the goods. It should not be confused with the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), which serves pre-arrival safety and security screening only and does not constitute full customs clearance.

**Source:** [https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/union-customs-code_en](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/union-customs-code_en)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Customs Cargo Declaration |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 116 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/union-customs-code_en |

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