GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
customs clearance process
A shipment arrives at the border: before goods can enter free circulation, the importer or their customs broker must lodge a formal customs entry stating the commodity description, country of origin, declared value, and HS tariff classification.
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Definition & Explanation
A shipment arrives at the border: before goods can enter free circulation, the importer or their customs broker must lodge a formal customs entry stating the commodity description, country of origin, declared value, and HS tariff classification. Customs officers assess the documentation, calculate import duties and applicable taxes, and determine whether a physical examination is warranted. Release is granted only once duties are paid or secured, authorising the onward movement of the goods. Straightforward consignments with complete paperwork can clear within hours; incomplete declarations, trade compliance checks, or physical inspections may extend the process to several days. Unlike transit procedures — where goods merely pass through a customs territory — the import clearance process concludes with a binding customs decision and a definitive duty assessment.
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