Customs Clearance of Cargo in the USA

For many companies shipping goods to the USA for the first time, customs clearance is a rather complex process. Implementing this process requires knowledge of the specifics of customs clearance for goods imported into the United States. At the same time, correctly completing all procedures can significantly reduce delivery time and minimize the risk of additional costs.

Most trading companies involve customs brokerage services at the customs clearance stage, as a qualified specialist knows the nuances of American legislation and the specifics of bureaucratic procedures.

What is Customs Clearance

Customs clearance of cargo is the process of processing and registering a shipment of goods at the border for the purpose of legally importing or exporting goods. It is regulated by a number of laws and regulations aimed at ensuring security, protecting the domestic market, and fair collection of duties and fees. It includes document verification, calculation of duties and taxes, as well as inspection of the cargo for compliance with safety requirements and quality standards adopted in the given state.

Types of Customs Clearance

Depending on the type of goods, their characteristics, composition, and purpose, the process of customs clearance documentation may vary. Specifically:

1. Accelerated procedure for urgent goods that require immediate or priority entry into the country. Accelerated customs clearance in the USA may be applied for medications, perishable goods, humanitarian aid, etc. In this case, special channels are used for expedited inspections.
2. Customs clearance on demand. This involves temporary exemption from duties and taxes for goods stored under customs control. It is applied to raw materials and products intended for further processing, assembly, or export, and not intended for sale in the domestic market.
3. Customs clearance of goods before arrival. Allows for the preliminary submission of required documents. Customs authorities can conduct inspections and calculate duties in advance, significantly speeding up the release of goods upon arrival. Suitable for large and frequently imported goods.
4. Simplified processing. Applied to goods considered less risky or of low value. Allows minimizing the volume of documents submitted. May include automatic processing of applications and the use of simplified inspection procedures.

The Customs Clearance Procedure in the USA

In addition to specific types of customs clearance depending on the characteristics of the goods, there is a standard procedure that includes several stages:

1. Submission of documents. Providing the most complete information about the cargo, which is contained in invoices, transport documents, certificates of origin, etc.
2. Verification of documents and cargo. Customs authorities check the submitted documents for compliance and correctness of completion, and also inspect the cargo if necessary.
3. Calculation and payment of duties, taxes, and fees. The amounts are determined based on the characteristics of the goods, their value, and country of origin.
4. Release. If the customs clearance of the goods was performed correctly, the cargo receives permission for import and is allowed for further transportation or sale.

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Documents Required for Cargo Customs Clearance in the USA

The documents required for customs clearance of cargo include:

• Cargo Manifest: product name, quantity, unit price, total amount, origin, destination.
• Power of Attorney: accurate information about the importing company, tax identification number, address.
• Import Security Filing (ISF) Documents: the importer must declare ten details about the import to customs 24 hours before loading, and the shipping company must provide the information 24 hours before the vessel arrives.
• Country of Origin Marking.
• If necessary, FDA and FCC compliance certificates.
• Customs Declaration: commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin.

Shipping goods from Ukraine to the USA is a complex process when it comes to document preparation. Therefore, customs brokers prepare the documents for customs clearance. They have vast experience in cargo handling and clearance, and know the nuances of laws and documentation.

Customs Clearance Cost in the USA

The cost of customs clearance depends on the cargo, duties based on the HS Code for the specific product group, tax payments, and other fees. The price of customs broker services also needs to be taken into account. Therefore, the exact cost is calculated for each shipment individually.

How Much Time to Allocate for Customs Clearance in the USA

With a complete set of documents and timely submission, the customs clearance process takes about 4 hours. If issues arise, the cargo might be delayed for a few days or even weeks. It is better to allocate around 48 hours to account for congestion at checkpoints and buffer time for unforeseen circumstances.

Why Can Goods be Delayed in the USA?

The timeframes for customs clearance of goods in the USA depend on a number of factors, including the type of goods, volume, complexity of document processing, as well as the time required for inspections and other checks. Typically, the customs clearance period ranges from several hours to several days, but in complex or disputed situations, it can extend to weeks. It is important to prepare the necessary documentation in advance and follow procedures.

The delay of goods at the border can occur for a number of reasons:

• incorrect documentation or submission of an incomplete set of documents. This leads to delays and additional inspections;
• violation of labeling and packaging rules. This can cause a delay of the cargo at the border;
• inaccurate declaration of the cargo's value. This customs clearance error can result in fines, increased duties, and taxes;
• untimely submission of documents. Significantly increases the time the goods remain at customs;
• incorrect determination of the HS Code. Errors in the classification of goods according to the tariff nomenclature can cause issues with the calculation of duties and taxes.

Easy Customs Clearance in the USA is Possible

For sellers looking to simplify the customs clearance process in the USA, the obvious solution is to turn to professionals. The DiFFreight Company can help avoid errors and delays at customs. We organize and carry out international logistics shipping with customs clearance for export and import. The customs brokerage services provided by our professional specialists include complete document support, calculation of duties and taxes, as well as consulting on all issues related to customs procedures. They will handle all stages of customs clearance to minimize risks and ensure uninterrupted deliveries.