Export clearance concerns goods leaving a customs territory. Import clearance concerns goods entering under the relevant import procedure. One commercial shipment can need both, with separate responsibilities, declarations and supporting information.
| Procedure | Main planning question |
|---|---|
| Export | Who arranges the lawful departure and required evidence? |
| Import | Who declares the goods and handles the applicable entry obligations? |
| Transit, where used | How do goods move under customs control between points? |
Do not assume one booking covers every step
A transport provider or customs representative may be appointed for only part of the process. Establish who handles the origin-side and destination-side tasks, and whether any transit procedure is involved.
For Cargo Euro Hub, the manager confirms the customs service scope offered with the transport. The shipper and consignee should know what information and authorisations they must supply.
The commercial parties may differ
The seller, exporter, buyer, importer and physical receiving warehouse may not be identical. Their roles should be correctly identified on the relevant records. An invoice recipient does not automatically become the importer merely because it pays the freight.
Coordinate the documents
Provide consistent goods descriptions, quantities, values and classification information. Confirm how declaration references reach the carrier and how evidence of completion is retained by the responsible parties.
Consider non-sale movements
Returns, repairs and temporary use may require procedures different from a permanent sale. Explain the purpose at the start rather than asking for a generic import or export declaration after collection.
See customs documents, transit and returned goods.