How does customs clearance work for international shipments?
Step 1: Package Arrival When your package arrives in the destination country, customs authorities receive it for inspection and processing.
Step 2: Declaration Verification Officers inspect and verify the shipment against your customs declaration:
- Item descriptions match actual contents
- Quantities are accurate
- Declared values are reasonable and documented
Step 3: Classification & Assessment Customs determines:
- Applicable duties and taxes based on HS codes
- Country of origin verification
- Prohibited or restricted items check
📋 Required Documentation
| Document | Required For | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | All shipments >$100 | Proves purchase value |
| Packing List | All shipments | Details contents |
| Certificate of Origin | Specific items | Proves manufacturing country |
⏱️ Clearance Timeline
| Shipment Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Standard (compliant) | 1-3 business days |
| Complex/inspection | 3-7 business days |
| Issues detected | 7+ days or seizure |
💡 GoGoShip Support
We provide customs declaration assistance to:
- Ensure accurate item descriptions
- Calculate proper declared values
- Include all required documentation
- Minimize clearance delays