# Customs clearance documents

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Customs clearance documents are the set of records that importers, freight forwarders, and licensed brokers must submit to customs authorities for a shipment to be assessed, classified, and released.

Customs clearance documents are the set of records that importers, freight forwarders, and licensed brokers must submit to customs authorities for a shipment to be assessed, classified, and released. The core package typically includes the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and the customs declaration; certificates of origin, import licences, and conformity declarations are added depending on commodity type and applicable trade regulations. Brokers review these records before lodgement to catch valuation discrepancies, classification errors, or missing signatures—issues that trigger holds, demurrage charges, and penalty exposure. In most jurisdictions, documents are now transmitted electronically through platforms such as the EU's ICS2 or national single-window systems. Not to be confused with the term "customs clearance papers": both expressions refer to the same concept and differ only in phrasing.

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

## Quick Facts

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

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