GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Expiration date

Freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and customs officers check the expiration date to confirm that goods remain fit for trade and transport.

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haltbarkeitsdatum

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Definition & Explanation

Freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and customs officers check the expiration date to confirm that goods remain fit for trade and transport. It marks the final date on which a product may lawfully be used, sold, or shipped; beyond that point, goods are generally considered unfit for carriage or must be disposed of. In international trade, expiration dates for perishable cargo – foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, chemicals – must appear on the commercial invoice, packing list, and customs declaration, as many destination countries require a minimum remaining shelf life at the time of import. The expiration date differs fundamentally from the best-before date: the former is a hard legal boundary, the latter a quality indication only. For temperature-controlled shipments, a broken cold chain can effectively shorten the practical shelf life and thus the importability of the goods.

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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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Passar 1.0Passar 2.0 → Q2 2026Passar 3.0 → Q2 2027

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Expiration date

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Related Terms

arrival date

Order Date in Hazardous Goods Logistics

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Agreed Delivery Date

delivery date

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