# customs clearance

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Customs clearance is the end-to-end administrative process by which a customs authority examines goods entering, leaving, or transiting a customs territory, assesses all applicable duties and import taxes, and ultimately releases the cargo.

Customs clearance is the end-to-end administrative process by which a customs authority examines goods entering, leaving, or transiting a customs territory, assesses all applicable duties and import taxes, and ultimately releases the cargo. The process covers filing the customs declaration, verifying supporting documents such as the commercial invoice, packing list, and certificates of origin, and—where required—conducting a physical inspection of the goods. In freight forwarding practice, licensed customs brokers manage clearance on behalf of importers or exporters; errors in declarations or missing documents can cause significant delays and additional costs. Customs clearance should be distinguished from customs release, which is the final act concluding the clearance process and permitting the goods to leave customs control.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_clearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_clearance)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | customs clearance |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 115 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_clearance |

## Related Pages

* [Aalborg Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aalborg-airport-aal)
* [Abbotsford International Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abbotsford-international-airport-yxx)
* [Abidjan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/abidjan-port-ci-abj)
* [Abu Simbel Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abu-simbel-airport-abs)
* [Acadiana Regional Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/acadiana-regional-airport-ara)

---

*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-clearance-7](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-clearance-7)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/customs-clearance-7](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/customs-clearance-7)*

*JSON summary: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/customs-clearance-7/llm-summary?lang=en](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/customs-clearance-7/llm-summary?lang=en)*