GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Provisional Customs Clearance
Provisional customs clearance is a procedure under which goods are declared and released on the basis of preliminary information – such as an estimated customs value, a tentative tariff classification, or an unconfirmed origin declaration – before complete documentation is available.
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Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-a-provisional-customs-declaration
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Definition & Explanation
Provisional customs clearance is a procedure under which goods are declared and released on the basis of preliminary information – such as an estimated customs value, a tentative tariff classification, or an unconfirmed origin declaration – before complete documentation is available. It allows importers and customs brokers to obtain release from customs custody without delay, for instance when commercial invoices, certificates of origin, or laboratory analysis results are still outstanding at the time of arrival. A security deposit is typically required until final clearance is completed with accurate, verified data. If the definitive figures differ from the provisional ones, additional duties, interest charges, or correction notices may follow. This procedure is distinct from a customs warehouse arrangement, where goods are held under customs supervision without having been cleared at all.
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