Customs Clearance Shipping Service

There are several types of fees that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may charge for shipping errors or trade agreements, including:

Penalties: If the importer makes a mistake on their declaration or violates a trade agreement, they may be subject to penalties, which can be substantial.

Liquidated damages: If the importer fails to comply with a trade agreement, they may be required to pay liquidated damages to the CBP.

Duty owed: If the importer under-declares the value of their goods, they may be required to pay additional duty owed to the CBP.

Interest: If the importer does not pay their duties or penalties in a timely manner, they may be charged interest on the outstanding amount.

Storage fees: If the importer does not claim their goods in a timely manner, they may be charged storage fees by the CBP for holding the goods.

The length of time a shipment is held at customs can vary greatly, depending on the nature of the error and the speed with which the issue is resolved. Some errors or discrepancies can be resolved quickly, while others may take several weeks or even months to resolve. Factors that can impact the length of time a shipment is held at customs include the type and complexity of the error, the volume of goods being processed, and the resources available to the customs agency to resolve the issue. It is important for importers to be aware of these issues and to ensure that they comply with all customs regulations and trade agreements to avoid them. A licensed customs broker can help navigate these regulations and minimize the risk of fees and penalties.

Customs clearance is the process of obtaining permission from a country’s customs authority to import or export goods. This process involves the submission of various documents, payment of duties and taxes, and inspection of the goods to ensure compliance with regulations. The purpose of customs clearance is to regulate and monitor the flow of goods in and out of a country, and to protect its economy and citizens.

Goods imported into the United States must go through customs clearance because they are subject to various regulations and laws set by the US government. These regulations and laws include: Imported goods may be subject to import taxes, tariffs, and other fees, which are collected by customs to generate revenue for the government and to protect domestic industries.

The US government may limit the quantity of certain goods that can be imported from specific countries to protect domestic industries. Customs ensures that the imported goods meet US health and safety standards to protect consumers and the environment. Customs checks imported goods to ensure that they do not pose a threat to national security, such as weapons of mass destruction, illegal drugs, and counterfeit goods.

Customs clearance ensures that the imported goods comply with these regulations and laws, and helps to protect the US economy, consumers, and national security.

Goods leaving China must go through export clearance. The customs authority in China is responsible for checking that the goods being exported comply with Chinese laws and regulations, such as trade agreements, export controls, and health and safety standards.

During the export clearance process, the exporter must submit various documents, including a commercial invoice, a packing list, and a bill of lading, to the customs authority. The goods themselves may also be subject to inspection to ensure compliance with regulations.

The purpose of export clearance in China is to regulate and monitor the flow of goods out of the country and to protect its economy and citizens. It also helps to ensure that the goods meet the regulations and standards of the country they are being exported to.

General Purpose: Most goods ship in general-purpose containers, also known as dry containers, for the goods they can carry. These containers—made of steel and with one opening for loading—are usually either 20 or 40 feet long. In spite of this difference, however, both sizes can carry around 60,000 lbs. The advantage of a longer-length container is not that it can carry double the number of goods but that it can accommodate larger items.

Liquid Containers: Large liquid cargo may be shipped in a tank (essentially, a metal tube filled with liquids such as oil, fuel, food, or chemicals) that rests inside a tank container. The tank container is a metal frame that acts as a nest for the tank and allows it to be stacked with other container units. A 20-foot container can support a 26,000-liter capacity tank. For smaller liquid shipments, shippers might choose a drum, a small water-tight circular-shaped container made of steel or other lightweight materials.

Temperature-controlled: Shippers may choose a refrigeration container, called a reefer, for goods needing a consistent temperature. Reefers are thermal-insulated units with a compressor built into the container to heat or cool their contents. Insulated containers are another option. They can keep goods at a specified temperature but rely on an external source for cooling.

Other Options: Containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including a half-height shorter version, a high cube that is taller than the standard height, and, for even taller items, an open top. Containers may also have double doors or side doors to facilitate loading.