Prepare a customs dossier without stress
Customs clearance is often decided before the shipment. Here are the items to gather to avoid hold-ups.
The basic documents
Three items come up almost every time: the commercial invoice (exporter, importer, products, values, currency, Incoterm), the Packing List, and the transport documents. Make sure they describe the same goods, with the same quantities and values.
The information that blocks most often
The HS code of each product and the country of origin drive the duties and applicable regulations. The EORI number is required for import/export in the EU. Also check regulated goods (e.g. batteries, dangerous goods) that require specific declarations.
Anticipate, don't improvise
A checklist run through before handing off to the carrier saves precious time. Note, however: gathering the right documents eases clearance but does not guarantee it — the decision rests with customs authorities and your forwarder.
A customs checklist template is available in our template library.
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