Customs clearance is the mandatory process to secure governmental approval for the entry or exit of goods into/from a country. It involves paying all applicable customs duties and taxes, preparing and submitting a specific set of documents that detail the shipment contents, and sometimes, a thorough examination of the goods by Customs officials.
Customs clearance is required for all international shipments, regardless of transport mode by ocean, land or air. The process can be handled by a freight forwarder or a customs broker who can file the necessary customs entries and arrange the payment of duties.
