Custom Clearance


Are you bored of the monotonous process of customs clearance?

Do you want get rid of the daunting process of customs clearance paper work?

Do you want to keep your focus more on your business development and desire your shipments arrive at your hands without getting involved in its paperwork?

If yes, we are here to help you get your shipment at your hands safe, sound and without delay. We, in Taha Cargo and Logistics provide the fastest and quickest solutions for your shipments with clearance of all customs clearance documents with trust and speed.

Customs Clearance: A Complete Guide

Every cross border shipment of goods must clear customs before it can be imported or exported. Though the extra paperwork and official inspections may seem daunting, the customs process for shipping freight is less complicated than you may think—especially if you partner with a reputable shipping company and customs broker to avoid unexpected delays or fees.

Here we put more light on customs clearance: What is Customs Clearance? What does customs clearance mean?

Customs clearance is a process that involves the submission of documentation to the associated government custom agency and then the subsequent oversight and clearance of the goods in transit.

  • •The customs clearance documentation is assembled by the assigned customs broker to the shipper. It will prove that any taxes or duties have been paid. Then, the goods are released for import or export.
  • • The customs clearance process is the act of passing a shipment of goods through customs, the government agency responsible for overseeing the compliance of shipments with international trade laws. Customs officials oversee each incoming or outgoing shipment to make sure it is in line with the country’s regulations. It is then cleared for import or export. However, at any time a shipment can be inspected.

The Customs Clearance Process include the following:

1.Document inspection. A customs officer will review the paperwork for your shipment to signal an initiated customs clearance process. This can include a commercial invoice (CI) (stating the contact information for the shipper and receiver, export date, description of the cargo, and its value), a purchase order from a buyer, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading (BOL) or air waybill, and certificate of origin (NAFTA or USMCA Certificates of Origin, for example). There may also be further documentation required by the buyer, financial institution or LC terms, or the importing country. Canada, for example, also requires a Canada Customs Invoice for incoming shipments. 

2. Tax and duty calculation. Based on goods being shipped, the customs broker will ensure that the appropriate taxes and duties are prepaid or collected for the type of goods in your shipment, their declared value, and the customs laws of the importing country. Customs officers are responsible for verifying and tracking whether these charges have already been paid.

3. Payment of taxes and duties. If the taxes and duties applicable to your shipment have not already been paid, the customs officer will request payment.​

4. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). If a shipment is marked as DDP, all taxes and duties have been prepaid, usually via your customs broker, who can calculate and process tax and duty payments in advance for a clearance fee.

5. DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). Shipments marked as DDU are forwarded to an independent customs broker to collect the amount due from the recipient, as well as extra fees like inspection, storage, handling, insurance, and disbursement.

6. Release of shipment. Once any outstanding taxes and duties are paid and the product has cleared import customs, the shipment is released by customs and can continue to its final destination. Some trucking companies have warehouses that allow a shipment to continue through the border to be held "in bond" at the warehouse until it is cleared. There is usually a charge associated with not having the correct paperwork available to properly clear a shipment. In other words, a carrier's "in bond" capabilities are beneficial but shouldn't be something that a shipper relies on every time a shipment crosses the border.

How to Avoid Clearance Delays

The key to avoiding delays in the clearance process is providing complete and accurate paperwork to the trucking company so that they may coordinate with your customs broker and ultimately submit your paperwork for clearance by government officials. Knowing how the import customs clearance requirements apply to you and staying up-to-date with the latest import regulations and relevant tariff laws is crucial for avoiding delays. Experienced shipping companies and brokers can assist in making sure your documents are thorough and include the correct business information, inventory, and value of cargo. Doing so will ensure the proper taxes and duties are applied and your shipment isn’t flagged by the authorities.