Customs clearance for United States of America

overview

Everything about customs clearance

"Customs clearance" or "clearing customs" means that an item being imported or exported has met a country’s requirements for entering or leaving its borders.

These requirements vary from country to country and from one item to another. Missing or incomplete paperwork and improper tariff classifications are common reasons for shipment delays at the border.

BorderBuddy can help you “clear customs” fast, with less paperwork and fewer headaches.

How it works

Clearing U.S. customs

01

Notification to importer of record

Ensure that your carrier notifies the importer of record as soon as your shipment arrives at U.S. Customs. The importer of record is responsible for filing all entry documents with the authorities at the port of entry. The importer of record can be the exporter (you), your consignee/buyer, or your U.S. customs broker.

02

Use of bonded warehouse (Optional)

If you want to defer payment of duties and processing fees until the sale of your goods is completed, send them to a bonded warehouse. Duties and fees are not levied until the goods leave the warehouse.

03

Examination by U.S. customs officials

After the goods arrive at the port of entry, U.S. Customs officials will examine them to determine:

The value of the goods for customs and duty purposes
The validity of the marking and labeling
The validity of the invoice
Whether the shipment contains any prohibited goods
Compliance with requirements from other U.S. federal agencies. Ex: Department of Agriculture
04

Clearance and duty calculation

Once customs officials confirm that the shipment and its documentation are in order, the goods can proceed into the U.S. The broker determines the duties or fees payable and files this information, along with any payment due, with U.S. Customs.

05

Liquidation of entry

After the official appraisal of the goods, the entry is "liquidated," meaning the final computation of duties and/or drawback is complete.

Packing list essentials

The packing list outlines key information aboutyour shipment, such as:

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