Customs Clearance

Customs clearance is the process of completing all regulatory requirements to allow goods to enter or leave a country. It involves submitting declarations, paying applicable duties and taxes, and obtaining release from the customs authority. Clearance is required at both origin (export clearance) and destination (import clearance) for international shipments.

In Freight Forwarding

Customs clearance is often the biggest source of delays in international shipping. It requires accurate documentation — commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, HS Codes, and permits for regulated goods. Freight forwarders either handle clearance in-house through licensed customs brokers or coordinate with third-party brokers. Pre-clearance filing (submitting documents before the vessel arrives) can significantly reduce dwell time at port.

How CargoGen Handles It

CargoGen tracks each customs entry against its shipment: status from preparing through filed and under examination to released and cleared, the broker's reference, the references, duties and the documents still outstanding. The commercial invoice the AI read for the shipment is linked as valuation evidence. Filing itself is done by your customs broker in their own system.