GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Customs clearance costs

When a shipment reaches a border crossing, the full tally of customs clearance costs begins to accumulate: the term covers every expense incurred to move goods through import or export formalities.

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

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

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Definition & Explanation

When a shipment reaches a border crossing, the full tally of customs clearance costs begins to accumulate: the term covers every expense incurred to move goods through import or export formalities. It encompasses customs duties, import VAT, customs authority processing fees, broker charges, document preparation costs, and any inspection or storage fees arising from physical examination or temporary placement in a bonded warehouse. The total is driven by tariff classification, country of origin, preferential trade status, and the customs territory involved. Unlike customs clearance fees—which cover only the service charges of brokers and agents—customs clearance costs include state levies as well, making them the complete cost figure relevant for landed-cost planning. Neither item is included in standard freight quotes, so importers and freight forwarders must budget for them separately.