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Customs Clearance Service
Customs clearance is an important and necessary step when importing and exporting goods internationally. Often, this process can seem overwhelming, so shippers will use agents who will work on their behalf which makes the process much easier. Current International Freight’s experienced team of professionals will oversee everything from paperwork verification, Payments for duties / taxes or exams and complete the customs entry. Our experience along with our honest pricing and eye for detail can greatly improve your shipment and help expedite your customs process.
We will oversee all aspects of the customs process, from verifying paperwork (Commercial invoices and packing lists), validating titles, carnets to remitting payments for duties / taxes or exams. Our experienced team of professionals will make this process easy so you can focus on your business.
BENEFITS
Industry experience in customs compliance
Industry experience in customs compliance
Timeline reduced from days to hours
Avoided fees from shipping errors or trade agreements
Hiring an ocean freight service that is licensed by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to oversee custom entries, paperwork verification, and payments is advisable for several reasons:
Expertise
A licensed ocean freight service has the expertise and experience to navigate the complex regulations and procedures of customs clearance. They understand the requirements for documentation, taxes, and fees, and can ensure that everything is in order to avoid delays and potential fines.Importers are responsible for providing complete and accurate information on their importations, including the value, classification, and origin of the goods being imported. Violations of customs regulations can result in penalties, including fines and seizure of goods.
Expertise
A licensed ocean freight service has the expertise and experience to navigate the complex regulations and procedures of customs clearance. They understand the requirements for documentation, taxes, and fees, and can ensure that everything is in order to avoid delays and potential fines.Importers are responsible for providing complete and accurate information on their importations, including the value, classification, and origin of the goods being imported. Violations of customs regulations can result in penalties, including fines and seizure of goods.
Accuracy
A licensed ocean freight service can verify that all the required documents are accurate and complete, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring that the customs clearance process goes smoothly.Inaccurate or incomplete information can result in improper classification of goods, incorrect duty and tax assessments, and potential violations of trade laws and regulations.
Speed
A licensed ocean freight service has the knowledge and resources to expedite the customs clearance process, reducing the risk of delays and ensuring that your goods arrive at their destination in a timely manner.If the information cannot be provided or the inaccuracies cannot be corrected, the shipment may be subject to enforcement action, such as seizure of the goods or fines.
By hiring a licensed ocean freight service, you can save time, reduce the risk of errors and compliance issues, and ensure that your goods reach their destination without any disruptions.
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.
What is Customs Clearance
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.
Export Clearance
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.
Export clearance in China involves several steps to ensure that the goods being exported comply with Chinese laws and regulations:
Documentation:
The exporter must provide various documents, including a commercial invoice, a packing list, and a bill of lading, to the customs authority.
Declaration:
The exporter must declare the goods being exported to the customs authority, including their type, quantity, value, and destination.
Inspection:
The goods may be subject to physical inspection to verify their description and to ensure that they comply with regulations.
Fees:
The exporter may be required to pay various fees, such as export taxes and tariffs, depending on the type of goods being exported.
Approval:
If the goods and the accompanying documentation comply with regulations, the customs authority will issue an export license, allowing the goods to be exported from China.
The entire export clearance process may take several days to complete, and it is important that the exporter provides accurate and complete information to avoid delays or potential fines.
There are many examples of goods that have failed export clearance and the consequences that resulted. Some common reasons for goods to fail export clearance include: Prohibited goods Certain goods, such as drugs, weapons, or endangered species, are strictly prohibited from export and will result in the goods being seized and possibly destroyed. Trade sanctions If a country is under trade sanctions, certain goods may be prohibited from being exported to that country, and may result in the goods being returned or seized. Health and safety regulations Goods that do not comply with the health and safety regulations of the importing country may be refused entry and returned to the exporting country. Incomplete documentation If the exporter fails to provide complete and accurate documentation, the goods may be held at the border and delayed, or returned to the exporting country. These are just a few examples of why goods may fail export clearance. In each case, failing export clearance can result in significant delays, added costs, and potential legal consequences for the exporter. It is important for exporters to carefully review and comply with the regulations of the importing country to avoid these outcomes.
Air Freight
Passenger airplane maximum height:
64 inches
Cargo airplane maximum height:
96 inches
How to calculate air freight volume:
L x W x H inches divided by 166 = weight in pounds
How to convert weight from pounds to kilograms:
divide the weight in pounds by 2.2046 (equals 1 kilogram)
Ocean Freight
Container maximum weights:
20′ container—34,000 lbs.
(if the weight exceeds 34,000 lbs., a tri-axle chassis is required)
40′ container—44,000 lbs.
Container internal dimensions:
20′ SD:
19’6″ L x 7’8″ W x 7’9″ H
(capacity: 1250 CFT.)
40′ SD:
39’5″ L x 7’8″ W x 7’9″ H
(capacity: 2434 CFT.)
40′ HQ:
39’5″ L x 7’8″ W x 8’10” H
(capacity: 2495 CFT.)
Less than a container load
(consolidated ocean cargo)
Ocean freight minimum (1 cubic meter):
48″ x 42″ x 30″
Standard pallet sizes:
48″ x 40″ or 48″ x 42″
