Documents you need for customs clearance
A short checklist of the papers most international shipments need, and why preparing them early saves days.
Most delays at the border are caused by missing or inconsistent paperwork, not by the transport itself. Preparing the documents before the goods leave makes clearance faster and cheaper.
The commercial invoice. It states the seller, the buyer, a clear description of each item, the quantity, the unit price and the total value. The description should be specific, for example cotton T-shirts instead of clothes, because customs classify goods according to what they are.
The packing list. It lists what is inside each package, with the number of packages, the weights and the dimensions. It must match the invoice and the actual cargo.
The transport document. For sea freight this is the bill of lading, for air freight the air waybill, and for road freight the consignment note. It is the contract of carriage and it identifies the shipper, the consignee and the goods.
Certificate of origin and other certificates. Some goods and destinations require a certificate of origin, and some products require extra approvals, such as health, quality or conformity certificates. Requirements differ between countries and between product types, so check them before shipping.
Importer details. The consignee name, address and tax or registration number are usually needed to clear goods into the destination country.
A few habits help: keep names, quantities and values identical on every document, keep copies, write the HS code when you know it, and ask us early about restricted or prohibited goods. Duties and taxes are decided by the destination country and depend on the type and value of the goods.
General information only. Rules, duties and transit times differ between countries and carriers, so always confirm the details of your own shipment with our team.
