Customs clearance

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.wcoomd.org

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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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Definition & Explanation

Freight forwarders and customs brokers initiate customs clearance as soon as a shipment reaches the border or destination port. The process covers submitting the required documents – commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin where applicable –, declaring the customs value, calculating and paying import duties, and verifying compliance with non-tariff requirements such as import restrictions or licensing obligations. Only after official release can goods enter free circulation or be placed under a customs procedure such as warehousing or transit. Delays most commonly stem from missing or incorrect paperwork, which is why experienced customs brokers pre-check documents before the shipment arrives. Customs clearance should not be confused with the customs declaration alone – the declaration is just one step within the broader procedure.

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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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