GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Export declaration process

A shipment may be packed and ready, but it cannot cross the border until the export declaration process is complete.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-procedures/customs-declaration/procedure-exportation

Category

Logistics Concept

Reading time

1 min

Words

106

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

A shipment may be packed and ready, but it cannot cross the border until the export declaration process is complete. The exporter or their customs broker submits the required data electronically to the competent customs authority—commodity description, quantity, HS code, customs value, and country of origin. Customs performs both formal and substantive checks; physical inspection may be ordered for high-risk goods or suspected violations. Only after customs release may the goods depart. The office of exit then confirms actual physical departure, which serves as mandatory evidence of VAT exemption on export transactions. Unlike import declarations, responsibility here lies with the exporter in the country of dispatch.

Next steps

Matching tools and partners

Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Check transport insuranceEstimate coverage and premiumOpen Find a matching partnerFreight forwarders and logistics partners worldwideOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Declar

Declar is a free web application of the Swiss BAZG in the ePortal that enables, above all, smaller companies and transporters with…

Learn more

Electronic Assessment

In Switzerland, electronic assessment (elektronische Veranlagung) is the digital determination and levying of import or export dut…

Learn more

Parallel operation of e-dec

Parallel operation of e-dec is the transition phase in which Switzerland's former customs declaration system e-dec runs simultaneo…

Learn more

Customs app (BAZG)

"BAZG customs app" refers to the official smartphone apps of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) used to dec…

Learn more

Export handling process

A typical international shipment confronts the exporter with a chain of documents, customs formalities, and transport handovers – …

Learn more

Export Control Process Description

When a company must demonstrate during a customs audit exactly how its export controls work in practice, the export control proces…

Learn more

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.

Export declaration process

Next steps

Related Terms

Declar

Electronic Assessment

Parallel operation of e-dec

Customs app (BAZG)

Export handling process

Export Control Process Description

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers