Customs Clearance
Declaration lodgement, inspection, assessment and release of imported and exported consignments at all customs offices.
- Who it is for
- Importers, exporters, licensed brokers
- Channel
- Online & Counter
- Processing time
- Same day for green-channel consignments
About this service
Customs clearance is the assessment and release process every consignment passes through. A declaration is lodged electronically, risk-assessed and routed to a green, yellow or red channel. Green-channel consignments are released on payment; yellow requires document review; red requires physical inspection.
Duty and tax are calculated on the customs value, which is normally the transaction value plus freight and insurance. Where the declared value cannot be accepted, the authority applies the successive valuation methods set out in the customs law and issues a written assessment that can be appealed.
Who is eligible
- Importers and exporters with an active trader file
- Customs brokers holding a valid licence
- Authorised Economic Operators, with simplified treatment
Conditions to meet
- A registered trader file and portal credentials
- A digital signature for declaration submission
- Settled outstanding duty on previous consignments
Documents to provide
Bring originals where a certified copy is to be issued.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Certificate of origin
- Import licence where the goods are restricted
- Insurance and freight documents supporting the declared value
Fees
- Per fee schedule
Declaration processing
- Per fee schedule
Physical inspection (red channel)
- Per fee schedule
Attendance outside working hours
Charged per officer per hour
Declaration processing fee plus applicable duty and VAT
Step-by-step procedures
Related services and procedures
- Services — Certainty & rulings
Advance Rulings
Binding decision on tariff classification, origin or valuation method issued before goods are imported.
Read - Services — Trade facilitation
Authorized Economic Operators
Trusted-trader programme granting simplified procedures, priority treatment and reduced inspection to compliant operators.
Read - Services — Rights & remedies
Administrative Appeals
Route to challenge a valuation, classification or penalty decision before an independent administrative committee.
Read - Procedures — Import
Clearing an imported consignment
From manifest arrival to release order: the full import clearance path for a commercial consignment.
Read - Procedures — Export
Exporting goods
Lodging an export declaration, obtaining any required permit and getting the loading authority at the exit point.
Read - Procedures — Transit
Moving goods under customs transit
Moving uncleared goods between two customs offices under seal and guarantee, without paying duty at the point of entry.
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