A Practical Guide to Customs Clearance for First-Time Shippers

Most shipment delays at the border aren't caused by the cargo — they're caused by paperwork that's incomplete, incorrect, or missing entirely. Here's what actually matters.

HS Codes: Get Them Right the First Time

Every commodity has a Harmonized System (HS) code that determines its duty rate and any import restrictions. Misclassifying a shipment can mean overpaying duty, or worse, having a shipment held for review.

The Core Documents You'll Need

• Commercial invoice with an accurate description of goods and declared value.
• Packing list matching the invoice line by line.
• Bill of lading or air waybill.
• Certificate of origin, where the destination country requires one.
• Import or export licenses for regulated goods.

Duties and Taxes: Know Before You Ship

Landed cost isn't just freight — it includes duty, VAT or sales tax, and any handling fees at destination. Calculating this up front avoids surprises when your shipment arrives.

Bonded Warehousing

For cargo that can't clear customs immediately, or is awaiting re-export, bonded warehousing allows storage without duty being paid until the goods are released.

Working With a Broker

A good customs broker doesn't just file paperwork — they flag classification issues before they become delays, and they know which authorities to call when something needs resolving quickly.

Inqube Relocation Shipping's documentation team handles HS classification, duty calculation and customs filings on both ends of your shipment, so freight keeps moving instead of sitting in a bonded yard.