GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

customs inspection procedure

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.zoll.de/DE/Fachthemen/Zoelle/Zollkontrolle/zollkontrolle_node.html

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Logistics Concept

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1 min

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Definition & Explanation

When a consignment enters a customs territory, the customs inspection procedure is triggered: the authority reviews submitted declarations and supporting documents—commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin—for completeness and compliance with applicable import regulations. An automated risk-scoring step then determines whether a physical examination is warranted or whether the shipment may proceed directly to release. Most consignments clear quickly on the basis of a low-risk profile; only a targeted selection undergoes detailed physical inspection for smuggling, misdeclaration, or customs value discrepancies. The procedure is the primary regulatory mechanism through which customs authorities enforce trade compliance without unduly impeding legitimate cargo flows. It sits between the broader customs inspection system—the underlying infrastructure—and the individual customs inspection process carried out by officers on the ground.