# Official Customs Control

*Last updated: 2026-06-16*

> An official customs control is the formal examination of goods, means of transport, and accompanying documents by customs officers at a border crossing or approved customs office.

An official customs control is the formal examination of goods, means of transport, and accompanying documents by customs officers at a border crossing or approved customs office. Officers verify correct tariff classification, customs valuation, payment of all applicable duties and taxes, and compliance with prohibitions, restrictions, and sanctions regimes. Depending on the risk assessment, controls range from targeted risk-based inspections—focused on flagged or high-risk consignments—to routine checks applied across general cargo flows. In practice, a customs control may take the form of a documentary check, a physical examination of the goods, or a combination of both. For freight forwarders and importers, any unexpected physical inspection means additional dwell time and cost, making a complete and consistent customs declaration the most effective preventive measure.

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

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Official Customs Control |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 123 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-16 |
| Source | https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-procedures/customs-control_en |

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