Customs Clearance: A Complete Guide to Smooth Cross Border Trade
The process of transporting goods across international borders can seem confusing. It requires a great deal of preparation since the process differs from country to country. Although international trade is simpler now, custom clearance remains a big challenge.
It is advisable to consult the right experts for seaport customs clearance. They offer valuable logistics solutions for a wide variety of cargo. For both domestic and international shipments, they deal with customs clearance efficiently.
Factors Which Impact Custom Clearance
- The nature of the cargo
- Free trade agreements
- Digital customs through EDI or electronic data interchange systems
Rules to be Aware Of
The laws and regulations which govern foreign trade have an impact on everything. This includes the goods you ship and the documents that accompany it. You should the following rules from before.
- Foreign trade rules
- Export control regulations
- Exchange control regulations
The documentations which are mandatory during custom clearance are as follows –
- Shipping Bills
- Commercial Invoice cum Packing List
- Bill of Entry
- Bill of Landing
- Certificate of Origin
- Health and Insurance Certificates
- Inspection Certificate
- Import/Export Declarations
- Import and Export Licenses
- Consular Invoice
Steps Involved in Custom Clearance
There are no single set of guidelines to clear the customs. The customs regulations vary from country to country. Moreover, the customs authorities handle different cargo in different ways. Given these factors, some common cargo handling practices are as follows –
Steps in Pre-Departure
- Getting ready for imports and exports
The first step is to register with the customs department and obtain all necessary permits.
- Filling the shipping bill
The exporter has to fill up the shipping bills after getting access to the good’s HS code, origin country and duty due. They check if the good is dangerous or prohibited and whether it can enter the importing country. The exports have to acquire insurance certificates, dangerous goods declarations, invoices and other accompanying documents.
- Export custom clearance
It includes verification of the shipping bills and other documents. In case of any problem, the shipping bill is endorsed with a Let Export Order for final compliance. Now the goods are ready to be loaded for shipping. Sometimes, the goods might need a deeper inspection to get complete clearance.
Steps in Post-Arrival
- Filling the Bill of Entry
The importer or the agent files the bill of entry after the goods arrive its destination.
- Import Customs Clearance
The goods will now go through a detailed check and verification process. At the customs checkpoint, the agent will check the height, weight, value, HS code etc. They see if the goods are restricted for import, and any certificate is missing. If the good is red-flagged, it has to go through scanning.
AP Clearing Agency Private Limited provide specialised services for goods and cargo shipment. They ensure a hassle-free custom clearance process and customised freight solutions for all customers.
