# Customs clearance

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> A truck waits at the border crossing, a container sits in a terminal – customs clearance is the formal administrative process that determines whether goods may enter or leave a country.

A truck waits at the border crossing, a container sits in a terminal – customs clearance is the formal administrative process that determines whether goods may enter or leave a country. The importer, exporter, or their appointed customs broker submits a declaration covering the goods' description, origin, and customs value; duties, import VAT, and any applicable levies are assessed; and compliance with trade regulations is verified. Only once clearance is granted are goods released into free circulation or permitted to depart. Licensed customs brokers or freight forwarders handle this in practice, compiling the required documents – commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin – and filing electronically with the relevant authority. Customs clearance is broader than the customs entry or declaration alone, which forms just one component of the full procedure.

**Source:** [https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-procedures/customs-clearance-procedures_en](https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-procedures/customs-clearance-procedures_en)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Customs clearance |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 131 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-procedures/customs-clearance-procedures_en |

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