# customs release

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Customs release is the formal decision by a customs authority that goods may leave the customs zone and be handed over to the consignee.

Customs release is the formal decision by a customs authority that goods may leave the customs zone and be handed over to the consignee. It is issued once all applicable duties and taxes have been paid, required documents—commercial invoice, packing list, certificates of origin, licences—have been accepted as complete, and any physical inspections have been concluded. Until release is granted, goods remain under customs control: containers cannot be stripped and parcels cannot be delivered. Random examinations or missing paperwork can delay release by hours or days, generating demurrage or storage costs at the port or airport. Release should not be confused with customs clearance as a whole: release is the final step that concludes the clearance process.

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

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | customs release |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 117 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_clearance |

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