GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Transit procedure
Freight forwarders and customs declarants rely on the transit procedure to move goods under customs supervision across one or more countries without immediate payment of import duties or excise taxes; the customs debt is triggered only upon release at the final destination.
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Source: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/union-customs-code/transit_en
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Definition & Explanation
Freight forwarders and customs declarants rely on the transit procedure to move goods under customs supervision across one or more countries without immediate payment of import duties or excise taxes; the customs debt is triggered only upon release at the final destination. The procedure is secured through customs seals, financial guarantees, or electronic monitoring systems. Within the EU, a distinction is drawn between external transit (T1, for non-Union goods or shipments involving third countries) and internal transit (T2, for goods in free circulation within the customs union). The Common Transit Convention extends equivalent arrangements to additional European countries, including Switzerland and Norway. For freight forwarders, the transit procedure is an indispensable tool for protecting cash flow and keeping cross-border supply chains moving without unnecessary customs interruptions.
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