GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

Automated border crossing

Customs authorities and freight logistics operators use automated border crossings to clear shipments and travellers without individual manual inspection.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_border_control

Category

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Reading time

1 min

Words

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

Customs authorities and freight logistics operators use automated border crossings to clear shipments and travellers without individual manual inspection. The process relies on electronic clearance gates, biometric identification, and the real-time exchange of pre-lodged customs and transport data. At busy cargo terminals and major border points, this substantially cuts dwell times and raises throughput. For freight, automated systems draw on advance cargo data submitted by forwarders under programmes such as the EU's Import Control System. Unlike fast-track lanes that still involve staff checks, a fully automated crossing completes clearance without any officer present at the control point.

Next steps

Tools that match this term

Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Cross-Border E-Commerce

Cross-border e-commerce merges online retail, customs clearance, international transport, and destination-country regulation into …

Learn more

cross-border transport policy

Cross-border transport policy aims to eliminate practical and bureaucratic obstacles when goods move across borders—especially wit…

Learn more

Cross Border E-Commerce

Cross-border e-commerce takes place when an online buyer and seller are located in different countries and the purchased goods phy…

Learn more

Cross-Border Logistics

As soon as a consignment crosses a national border, cross-border logistics comes into play, covering every transport, storage, and…

Learn more

Cross-Border Logistics Infrastructure

Freight forwarders, customs authorities, and logistics operators all depend on cross-border logistics infrastructure to move and c…

Learn more

Cross-border intermodal transport chain

When a freight train reaches a border crossing, a defined sequence of steps begins: terminal entry, customs status check, transfer…

Learn more

⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.

Incoterms Simulator →

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Weekly: Top news, industry facts and insights from the world of logistics – free.

Automated border crossing

Next steps

Related Terms

Cross-Border E-Commerce

cross-border transport policy

Cross Border E-Commerce

Cross-Border Logistics

Cross-Border Logistics Infrastructure

Cross-border intermodal transport chain

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers