Import Customs Clearance

With complete documents and no special conditions, clearance normally takes 1-3 working days from vessel arrival or cargo receipt. Physical inspection or a permit from another agency can add 3-7 working days. The most common cause of delay is incomplete paperwork or a mismatched tariff code, so send documents for checking before the cargo arrives.

The core set is the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and any product-specific permit. To claim an FTA duty reduction you also need a certificate of origin such as Form E for China or Form D for ASEAN. Some goods need extra certification, for example FDA approval for food or TISI certification for certain electrical products.

First establish the reason — usually a tariff mismatch, a declared value below the reference price, missing documents, or a required permit. You then submit the additional documents or explanation Customs asks for. Storage and demurrage keep accruing while the cargo sits, so speed matters. Our team can handle this liaison for you.

The clearance fee is charged per customs entry and is separate from the duty and VAT payable to Customs, and separate again from freight and terminal charges. The rate depends on the complexity of the goods, the number of line items on the entry, and whether additional permits are needed. Ask for a quotation to see the full cost breakdown.