# to declare

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> When a shipment reaches an international border, the obligation to declare becomes immediate: the importer or exporter must formally disclose to the competent customs authority all legally required information – commodity description, quantity, country of origin, customs value, and tariff classification.

When a shipment reaches an international border, the obligation to declare becomes immediate: the importer or exporter must formally disclose to the competent customs authority all legally required information – commodity description, quantity, country of origin, customs value, and tariff classification. This declaration triggers the clearance process, determines applicable duties and taxes, and ensures compliance with import or export controls. Incomplete or inaccurate declarations can result in cargo holds, fines, or prosecution. A customs declaration is distinct from a dangerous goods declaration, which is addressed to the carrier and governed by transport-mode-specific rules such as the IMDG Code or the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

**Source:** [https://www.zoll.de/DE/Fachthemen/Zoelle/Zollanmeldung/zollanmeldung_node.html](https://www.zoll.de/DE/Fachthemen/Zoelle/Zollanmeldung/zollanmeldung_node.html)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | to declare |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 104 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://www.zoll.de/DE/Fachthemen/Zoelle/Zollanmeldung/zollanmeldung_node.html |

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