Agree who handles each procedure

Identify the exporter, importer and any appointed customs representative. Confirm which export, import or transit tasks are included in the transport arrangement. Prepare consistent descriptions, values, classification, origin and package records early enough for the route.

Keep customs and tax questions distinct

Customs duty, import VAT and VAT on the freight service are separate issues. Their treatment should be checked for the actual goods and transaction, rather than inferred solely from two country names.

The UK and Switzerland are within Cargo Euro Hub’s confirmed coverage. The Norway articles below are general reference guides: Norway is not included in the confirmed service coverage. Route guides explain paperwork and do not promise that every customs service is automatically included.

Customs basics and data

• When Is Customs Clearance Required?

  Understand when commercial freight needs customs procedures and why the exact territory, goods status and route matter beyond the country names.

• Do I Need Customs Clearance Within the EU?

  Learn when ordinary EU goods movements avoid border clearance and which special territories, goods statuses and transit routes require further checks.

• How Does Customs Clearance Work?

  Follow the main stages of customs clearance, from identifying responsible parties and preparing documents to declarations, checks, charges and release.

• Which Documents Are Needed for Customs Clearance?

  Prepare a customs document set with clear goods descriptions, values, packing details, company identifiers and procedure-specific evidence for your route.

• What Is an EORI Number?

  Understand EORI customs identification, how EU and UK requirements differ and why an EORI is separate from a VAT number or transport booking reference.

• What Is a Customs Tariff Number?

  Learn what a customs tariff number identifies and how product details, destination tariffs and official classification tools support a correct declaration.

• Commodity Code vs HS Code: What Is the Difference?

  Understand the relationship between HS codes and longer commodity codes, and why the destination’s classification system matters for customs declarations.

• What Is Country of Origin?

  Understand customs origin and why a product’s manufacturing origin differs from its warehouse location, dispatch country or seller’s business address.

• What Are Originating Goods and Preferential Origin?

  Learn when goods may qualify for preferential duty treatment and why an eligible route, product-specific origin rules and valid evidence all matter.

• Import vs Export Customs Clearance

  Compare import and export clearance, understand why a cross-border shipment may need both and identify the responsible parties before collection.

Procedures and responsibilities

• What Does DAP (Delivered at Place) Mean?

  Understand DAP under Incoterms 2020, including the named delivery place, buyer unloading and import responsibilities, and the separate transport booking scope.

• What Is a T1 Transit Document?

  Understand T1 customs transit, how it differs from import clearance and why movement references, guarantees and discharge need coordination before transport.

• What Is a Customs Inspection?

  Understand customs document and physical checks, how to prepare supporting information and why inspections can affect a commercial shipment’s schedule.

• What Is Returned Goods Customs Clearance?

  Prepare returned commercial goods with original export records, product identification and the reason for return, and check eligibility for the correct procedure.

• What Does Identity of Goods Mean in Customs?

  Learn how serial numbers, photographs and records help identify goods for customs returns, repairs or temporary movements without compromising safe packaging.

• Who Pays Customs Duties and Import VAT?

  Distinguish customs duties, import VAT and freight charges, and agree the importer, commercial allocation and payment process before cross-border transport.

• What Customs Costs Should Businesses Expect?

  Plan customs-related costs by separating clearance fees, duties, import VAT and possible handling charges, with the final treatment checked for your goods.

UK and Switzerland route guides

• EU to UK Freight: Which Documents Are Required?

  Prepare commercial freight from the EU to Great Britain with trader identifiers, goods records and coordinated export, import and border references.

• UK to EU Freight: Which Documents Are Required?

  Prepare Great Britain to EU commercial freight with export and import information, accurate goods records and the references needed for the chosen route.

• EU to Switzerland Freight: Which Documents Are Required?

  Prepare freight from the EU to Switzerland with commercial and packing records, classification and origin information, and an agreed customs process.

• Switzerland to EU Freight: Which Documents Are Required?

  Prepare commercial freight from Switzerland into the EU with clear exporter and importer roles, goods values, packing details and coordinated customs references.

Norway: general reference only

• EU to Norway Freight: Which Documents Are Required?

  Read a general guide to EU-to-Norway customs paperwork, including commercial records and trader responsibilities. Norway is outside our confirmed service area.

• Norway to EU Freight: Which Documents Are Required?

  Read a general guide to Norway-to-EU customs documents and import responsibilities. Norway is not part of Cargo Euro Hub’s confirmed freight coverage.