Customs clearance

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Last updated: 23 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.wcoomd.org

Category

Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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Definition & Explanation

Customs clearance begins the moment a shipment crosses a customs border or enters a customs territory. The responsible authority reviews the submitted trade documents – commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin – alongside the customs declaration, checking for completeness and accuracy before assessing and collecting any applicable import duties and taxes. Depending on the commodity type and the importer's risk profile, a physical inspection may be ordered. Only once clearance is granted does customs issue a release, which is the prerequisite for forwarding goods or placing them into free circulation. Customs clearance should not be confused with the customs declaration itself: the declaration is just one step within the broader clearance procedure.

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