Customs clearance is the process of declaring imported or exported goods to the customs authority, paying applicable duties and taxes, and obtaining release. It involves filing an entry with classification, value, and origin data, supported by the commercial and transport documents.
The core inputs are stable across countries: an entry or declaration citing the HS code, customs value, and origin; the invoice, packing list, and transport document; plus permits where the commodity needs them. Most commercial filings run through a customs broker on the importer’s behalf.
Clearance can begin before arrival in many regimes, and goods can alternatively move under bond to clear inland at an ICD or enter a bonded warehouse with duties deferred. Release is customs saying yes; it is separate from the carrier’s own release of the container.
Clearance and the container run on parallel clocks, and money is lost where they diverge: a cleared box not picked up burns free time; an uncleared box past its last free day accrues demurrage. Tracking arrivals and discharge in TrackingMCP tells the broker when to file and the dray when to book, keeping both clocks aligned.
Customs procedures and filing requirements vary by country and change over time. This page is general orientation, not customs or legal advice. Confirm current rules with your customs broker or the relevant authority.
Customs clearance is the process of declaring imported or exported goods to the customs authority, paying applicable duties and taxes, and obtaining release. It involves filing an entry with classification, value, and origin data, supported by the commercial and transport documents.
As early as the regime allows, commonly before vessel arrival, so release is ready when the container discharges. Late filing is the most avoidable cause of storage and demurrage.
Commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document at minimum, plus origin certificates and permits where relevant. Accuracy of description and value drives everything downstream.
Track arrivals to time filings →
Port dwell context →
More in Customs & compliance: Customs hold · Customs examination · Importer Security Filing (ISF) · AMS (Automated Manifest System) · ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) · HS code · Bonded warehouse · Dangerous goods (IMO classes) · Browse all 106 terms →