All your shipment clearance works can be assisted by HART Worldwide from China to overseas or the other way around.
We will pick up and deliver all your goods from and to the given address with our truck service, complete all the customs work and take care of the shipment clearance.
We will arrange for shipment clearance according to your necessity. We can take care of the timing and costing of your parcel as per your requirement.
The customs hassle of the destination ports will also be handled by us. All the shipment clearance processes will be completed by us and we will also make the final local delivery.
HART Worldwide has explicit knowledge and understanding about shipment clearance. Our skilled team is always one step ahead in monitoring the continuous market fluctuations and that is why we are always up to date in providing you with all the latest insights from the market. Your request is what we are waiting for, so why wait?
Our operation principle has been made keeping customs compliance in mind which ensures that your shipping will always be hazard-free.
HART is legally bonded with major airlines which ensures affordable shipping rates and space availability. These airlines include ET, TK, EK, QR, CX, AY, CA, CZ airlines.
Two other plus points of HART are standardization and customization. Our online logistic system is always looking for your package and it monitors, tracks, and keeps your package safe during shipment clearance, we can promise you a flawless service.
Our Other Services Besides Air Cargo
Air Freight
We are capable of providing you air freight services from China. With that we will also take care of customs clearing and forwarding.
Sea Freight
You can avail sea freight services from China. With that we will also take care of your shipping and clearing services.
Rail Freight
Rail freight services are not permissible in many countries. We provide rail freight services to the places where allowed. We will do shipment clearance and also provide local delivery.
Door to Door Shipping
HART has every shipping facility for your shipment. We provide door to door shipping from China to worldwide or vice versa. We will collect and drop your goods to the location.
Express Services
Your goods from China or anywhere in the world can be shipped through international express line FedEx, DHL, etc. we also avail fat discounts from them.
Warehousing
Warehousing your goods in our warehouses in China and many countries of the world is available on a temporary and long-term basis. We are just a call away from helping you.
Pickup & Delivery
We can pick up the goods from China and make the last local delivery to anywhere or vice versa. Our truck will pick up the goods and ensure safe pickup and delivery service.
FBX
We help e-commerce customers do FBA or FBJ shipping from China. Other e-commerce platform services are also available, like shipping to Jumia.
Consolidated Shipping
Orders from different suppliers can be consolidated and provide door-to-door service to your address. This will save your expenses and there will be less fear of damage.
Why Choose HART for Your Shipment Clearance?
Focus
Our focus on market policies gives us absolute understanding of the market. Our standardization and systematization helps us to give you a cheap shipping rate without hampering professionalism.
Cheap Shipping Rate
We are in partnership with top class airline and shipping companies. Our constant improvement ensures least cost in shipping and most efficient work.
Standardization
Our standardization working process, logistics, and cargo handling makes sure that you get a quick reply to your questions and high quality service from us.
Systematization
Online paperless operation is carried by our team with the help of our customized support system. This allows us to monitor and track the process without the help of a person.
Full Self-control
Our in-house software system makes sure that you are in control of everything. 100% safety of your goods is maintained by a dedicated person for every checkpoint.
Wide Coverage
We have warehouses in the UK, Germany, Poland, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, African countries like Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Egypt, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Senegal and branches in more than 20 Chinese cities.
Highly Trained Team
Our trained group of workers always emphasize on getting the most satisfactory service from us. Our employees are always learning from our systematized training.
Professionalism
Our professionalism is what makes us great. And so our staff always know about logistics. Because we know there is no end to learning and learning is optimal for giving you the advice you deserve.
Qualifications and Honor for Shipment Clearance
Business Form for International Freight Forwarders
This is implemented and approved by the Ministry of Commerce, for international freight forwarding business that all international freight forwarders in China must have the certificates <Foreign Trade Laws of the People’s Republic of China> and < Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of International Cargo Transport Agency>.
NVOCC Business Operation Qualification Registration Certificate
It requests registration with the Ministry of Transportation of China to obtain NVOCC. This is why it is not obtained by most international freight forwarders in China. It has much higher requirements than an ordinary freight forwarder. NVOCC gives better opportunities in booking and shipping, and one can issue its own bills of lading which can help you better control the goods.
ISO9001 2015 Quality Management System Certificate
The international quality management system is there to assure impeccable performance experience for the customers. They are here to make sure that the customer gets mistake-free service, and with no misunderstanding. Our main motto is to give our customers high-quality services.
Certificate of Membership for WCA
The world’s largest and most powerful network of independent freight forwarders is World Cargo Transportation Alliance (WCA). And HART Worldwide is a member of it, HART is automatically protected by the most generous and extensive financial protection program in the industry, which allows us to conduct business with other WCA members with complete security and peace of mind.
Certificate of Membership for CIFA
China International Freight Forwarders Association, CIFA is a national social organization in China’s international freight forwarding industry. It is guided by China’s Ministry of Commerce. The mission of CIFA is to strengthen industry self-discipline and coordination management, and create a fair competition market environment.
Member Unit for SIFFA
SIFFA or Shenzhen International Freight Forwarders Association is a social organization with legal officials approved by Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau. The mission of SIFFA is to guide, protect and coordinate the members to exchange information, coordinate relations, enhance mutual cooperation, and member interests to promote the international freight forwarding industry.
Shipment Clearance | The Ultimate FAQ Guide
Introduction
The most important factor of an import and export business is shipping goods.
When you bring goods into your country or send goods to the other end, you have to use the shipping services.
To make shipping happen successfully, your shipment needs to clear customs security.
Your shipping gets easier when you know the correct information about shipment clearance rules and regulations.
In this guide, we will cover some queries regarding your customs shipment clearance.
Table of Content
- What Is Clearance In Shipping?
- Who Is In-Charge Of Shipment Clearance Works?
- Do I Need A Shipment Clearance Agent?
- How Do I Find A Shipment Clearance Agent?
- Do Freight Companies Provide Shipping And Clearing Services?
- How To Get A Shipment Clearance Certificate?
- What Is A Shipment Clearance Letter?
- Is Customs Clearing And Forwarding Same?
- Do I Need A Shipment Clearance Certificate in LCL And FCL Shipping?
- What Are The Documents Needed To Pass Shipping Customs Clearance?
- How Long Does Shipment Clearance Take?
- How Long Does It Take To Arrive Goods After Shipment Clearance?
- What Is The Reason For Delaying In Shipping And Clearing?
- What Is The Process Of Shipment Clearance In DHL, FedEx, FDA, And Other International Freight Companies?
- Can I Enter the Receiver Country Without Shipment Clearance?
- Is Shipment Clearance Necessary In Air Freight?
- Why My Package Didn’t Pass Shipment Clearance?
- What Is The Charge Of Shipment Clearing?
- How Can I Reduce Shipment Clearance Charge?
- How Is Shipment Clearance Charge Calculated?
- What Happens If I Don’t Pay a Shipment Clearance Charge?
- Will My Goods Pass Shipping And Clearing Process If I Transport Illegal Goods?
- What Do I Do If My Package Gets Stuck In Shipment Clearance?
1. What Is Clearance In Shipping?
You might wonder why shipping customs clearance is necessary for shipping.
All the countries in the world have some shipment clearance quota that must be fulfilled for customs clearance.
Shipping customs clearance is an essential procedure to enter the packages in the country.
It is a process that has to be cleared without any doubt before goods get imported or exported internationally.
The shipment can only enter or exit the country once they have cleared customs.
After shipment clearance, your packages will get documents confirming their legality and with the green signal that it is clear to enter international borders.
2. Who Is In-Charge Of Shipment Clearance Works?
Your freight forwarder company generally provides all types of shipping customs clearance works.
Once you give your goods to the hands of a freight company, they will make sure your shipment clears the quota of the international border.
Freight companies have a team of a customs brokers that gives them all the shipping customs clearance services.
A customs broker handles all the shipment clearance works and prepares the necessary documents needed by the shipment to enter or exit a foreign land.
A customs broker has to be authorized to perform any shipment clearance work.
The broker has all types of information regarding the shipment and about both parties involved in the process.
HART Worldwide will provide you with expert shipping customs clearance agents that will help you with further shipping procedures.
3. Do I Need A Shipment Clearance Agent?
A shipment clearance agent or broker is essential for all your shipment clearance works.
Shipment clearance agents are professional individuals in the shipping business.
They are a trustworthy and reliable source for clearing the customs duties and paperwork for importing and exporting all types of goods.
They are well aware of the rules and regulations of countries needed to perform successful shipping.
Shipment clearance agents will prepare documents and submit them to the customs on time.
They will also arrange expert labor and transport to help clear packages quickly, which will save your money and time.
A shipment clearance agent will oversee your goods during loading and unloading in the customs to prevent damage that might cause in the process.
To know more about shipment clearance agents watch this video-
4. How Do I Find A Shipment Clearance Agent?
Your freight forwarder company will most likely offer you shipment clearance agents to support you with shipping works.
To know more about this, you need to speak to your freight forwarder company, who will explain their shipment clearance facilities.
Apart from that, you can check online for the list of shipping clearance brokers in the particular country you are shipping in.
You will find various websites with lists of all licensed customs brokers and their specific ports, along with their contact information.
You should know their details before trusting them with your shipment as they will be in charge of the goods in the port of entry.
A mistake with shipment clearance work may result in a massive penalty.
5. Do Freight Companies Provide Shipping And Clearing Services?
Freight forwarding companies may not always provide you both shipping and clearing services.
However, some companies will give you both.
A freight forwarder company arranges the goods and prepares documents on behalf of the shipper.
This includes setting multimodal transport services and containerization of the parcel.
A freight forwarder company will suggest transport, e.g., air freight, sea freight, freight train, land freight according to your needs.
They will also provide FCL and LCL services, door-to-door services, express shipping, etc.
Today’s freight forwarder services also offer assistance such as-
- Consultation for cost-effective transportation.
- Provide you with an agent to prepare documents and arrange a vehicle
- Providing both shipping and clearing services
HART Worldwide Logistics will minimize a lot of your customs work by providing you clearing services along with shipping.
So you do not have to worry about looking for a separate customs clearing agent.
6. How To Get A Shipment Clearance Certificate?
You will attain a shipment clearance certificate only when you successfully submit proper documents to the customs officers.
The documents needed to get a shipment clearance certificate can be arranged by an authorized customs clearance agent.
International shipments must carry a commercial invoice and bill of lading with them that a customs officer will verify before releasing from the seller’s border.
All your customs fees must also be cleared to get a shipment clearance certificate.
There are two options for payment, DDU and DDP, which a customs officer will check before providing you with a clearance certificate.
It will help if you have the proper paperwork mentioning the package’s details about the type and quantity of the goods.
Along with that, you need to have listings of the purchasing price, weight details, country of origin, and document of the paid customs charges.
7. What Is A Shipment Clearance Letter?
A shipment clearance letter or certificate is a document that proves that your package is okay to enter or exit international borders.
This mentions all the details regarding your goods, country of origin, country of destination, and the reason for shipping.
Without the shipment clearance letter, your packages will not fulfill the requirements and can not enter or exit the international border.
This letter is the proof of the authentication of your goods, and also it shows that your packages have passed all the international quotas.
8. Is Customs Clearing And Forwarding Same?
No customs clearing and forwarding are two different tasks, and both are crucial for successful shipping.
A freight forwarder performs the forwarding services that include packaging work and transferring cargo from one port to another.
An authorized customs agent does the customs clearing job.
His responsibilities are completing the port and customs formalities on behalf of the receiver and helping clear customs until the package reaches its destination.
A customs clearing agent will also evaluate the goods, make payments to customs and calculate payable taxes.
The shipment clearance broker carries all these tasks on behalf of the buyer to ensure problem-free safe delivery.
Customs clearing and forwarding are not done by respective specialists.
9. Do I Need A Shipment Clearance Certificate in LCL And FCL Shipping?
Any shipping, including FCL and LCL, needs a shipment clearance certificate to enter the international border.
Both the customs, the buyer, and the receiver evaluate your goods before it is shipped.
All the containers’ details on the sea cargo are listed, examined and provided to the customs authority.
They cross-check all the goods and evaluate the authenticity of the information provided by the broker.
When the goods pass all the examinations, the taxes and payments are cleared. Only then can the packages proceed to further shipping procedures.
10. What Are The Documents Needed To Pass Shipping Customs Clearance?
An expert generally gathers the documents that are needed to pass shipping customs clearance.
This paperwork has the details of the goods being shipped, including the name, type, quantity, volume, measurement of the goods.
It mentions the shipping services the packages will undergo, the kind of payment system, and details about the customs duties and taxes being paid.
This process gets a lot more straightforward when a shipment clearance agent handles it.
International shipment must also have commercial invoices, details about the seller and the buyer, and the total bill.
Other important documents include-
- Commercial invoice
- Airway bill
- Proforma invoice
- Export license
- Import license.
11. How Long Does Shipment Clearance Take?
After the goods are appropriately checked, packed, and shipped from the port of origin, 50% of the shipment clearance job is done.
When your package has all the necessary information it needs to clear the customs, there is less chance of the parcel getting stuck.
However, if there is a problem with the paperwork or the goods do not match the provided information, your goods might get seized.
Generally, it takes 1 to 24 hours for shipment clearance.
But the timing may vary if there are unresolved issues regarding the paperwork.
If your package fails to meet international shipping quotes, it will never clear the customs and reach its destination.
12. How Long Does It Take To Arrive Goods After Shipment Clearance?
Once all the paperwork is evaluated by the customs officer and no fault is found, the goods proceed to further shipping processing.
The time needed for your goods to reach the final address depends on the type of shipping you have chosen.
If you have signed for door to door shipping, your goods will be at your door after it reaches the port.
Now, the location of the port also matters to the time of delivery.
If the port is near your given area, it will reach you within a week.
If the port of destination is further from your address, it might take 15 to 20 days.
The goods will arrive at their destination in 7 to 20 days after the shipment clearance.
13. What Is The Reason For Delaying In Shipping And Clearing?
There can be multiple reasons why shipping and clearing take more time than usual.
Shipping can get delayed for the jam-packed schedule of the freight forwarder company.
Apart from that, weather hazards, government holidays, shipping sensitive or expensive items can also cause a delay in shipping.
There can be shortages of space in the cargo, which will again cause your shipment to arrive late.
If your documents and shipping process are okay, then customs clearing should not take too long.
But delay in the clearance work is often seen when the customs officer notices a problem in your shipment.
It will help if you talk to your freight forwarder company or your customs agent about any shipment clearance problems.
Watch this video to learn more-
14. What Is The Process Of Shipment Clearance In DHL, FedEx, FDA, And Other International Freight Companies?
Freight forwarder companies like DHL, FedEx, FDA, and other international freight companies also provide shipment clearance facilities for their customers.
They act as an intermediary between the customer and the customs.
They have experienced agents in the respective field to carry out customs clearance works.
They safeguard your goods and make sure that none of their packages are stuck in the process.
This helps them maintain product flow, and packages are regularly going in and out of the country.
HART Worldwide will provide you with every shipping assistance from the port of origin to the port of destination.
They manage all the queries from the customs on your behalf.
HART has agreements with all of those companies and offers less price.
15. Can I Enter the Receiver Country Without Shipment Clearance?
No, it is not possible to enter or exit any international border without shipment clearance.
The customs officers will check your shipment and make sure that you have cleared all the taxes and payments before entering the country.
If you try to cross borders without fulfilling the quotas set by international customs law, your goods will fall into smuggling.
Smuggling goods from another country will result in a heavy penalty and even imprisonment.
However, there are few products which importers do not need to pay duties and tax.
16. Is Shipment Clearance Necessary In Air Freight?
Air freight, sea freight, freight train, land freight, all cargos need to clear customs to enter or exit foreign land.
Air freight customs rules and regulations are even more strict than other freight mediums.
Illegal businessmen often choose air freight to transfer their goods as it is the fastest way of transport.
This is why airport checking is far more rigid than other freight options.
Air freight is also five times more expensive for larger parcels than sea freight.
As there are more restrictions and also the checking takes a long time, and it is the safest freight medium.
To better understand the shipment clearance rules of air freight, ask your freight forwarder about the dos and don’ts.
HART Worldwide provides you with essential information regarding all the freight, which gives you complete knowledge of the different freight routes.
17. Why My Package Didn’t Pass Shipment Clearance?
Your package will not pass shipment clearance if its paperwork is incorrect.
You need to provide appropriate information about your goods, mentioning what you are shipping, in what quantity, and the reason for shipping.
Also, your taxes and import duties must be cleared, and if not, you have to mention who is responsible for the payments.
Your packages will most likely pass shipment clearance if you have hired a specialist and experienced freight forwarder company or a customs agent.
You have the authority to question your freight forwarder about the whereabouts of your package.
It is much easier for you to hire someone who knows the shipping procedures rather than trying on your own.
If your goods do not pass the shipment clearance, it will have a massive impact on your business.
While attempting to save customs agent costs, you might lose a lot more in your package.
18. What Is The Charge Of Shipment Clearing?
The charge of shipment clearing is charged by a customs clearing agent for providing you with the necessary documents for shipping.
An agent will help you to assemble the paperwork essential to cross borders.
They will also work as a middleman between you and the customs office to negotiate and deal with the payments.
If you have hired a freight forwarder company, they will provide you an expert and will deal with his charges.
You will most likely pay the agent along with the charges of a freight company directly to them.
If you have hired an individual clearing agent, then he will charge you according to your needs.
The cost will depend on your goods.
Heavier items, expensive goods, or special shipments carrying hazardous materials will be charged more than usual.
Also, different freight routes will have different shipment clearing charges.
19. How Can I Reduce Shipment Clearance Charge?
You can reduce your shipment clearance charge by hiring a freight forwarder company that can advise you on several things.
Firstly, to reduce the charges, you need to keep a few things in mind.
- Weight of your goods
- Type of your goods
- Discounts avail from the freight company
- The time required for shipment clearance
It would be best if you choose a freight forwarder who can help you with adequate parcel packaging.
Both your actual weight and dimensional weight aids in the shipment clearance charge.
The heavier the package, the more charge you have to pay.
Choose someone with whom you can continue with all your shipping.
Freight companies offer discounts to their regular customers.
Dangerous goods and sensitive or rare items usually cost more.
So if you are shipping those, there is a higher chance of a high shipment clearance charge.
HART Worldwide is offering its customers the best shipment clearance charge.
They will advise you on the ways you can cut down your cost and will only charge the minimum amount.
20. How Is Shipment Clearance Charge Calculated?
Your shipment clearance charge will be calculated depending on the size and type of package you are shipping and the country you are shipping to.
For fragile and expensive items, you may have to pay more than the average charge.
Both clearing agents and freight forwarder companies provide shipment clearance.
You may get a loyalty discount from your company in some cases.
Different countries around the world have separate tax and customs clearing charges.
So the calculation of shipment clearance charge will vary on the percentage rate applicable to the item you are shipping.
You can find the percentage rate on the country’s government website you are shipping, but make sure you have the HS code.
21. What Happens If I Don’t Pay a Shipment Clearance Charge?
If you do not pay the shipping clearance charge, your goods will not reach you.
You may get warnings from the customs before your goods are sent back to the supplier.
The Customs officer will likely give you 21 days to clear the charges.
If you fail to do so, the goods will ship back to the seller, and you will no longer be a part of it.
22. Will My Goods Pass Shipping And Clearing Process If I Transport Illegal Goods?
Illegal goods will never make their way into the foreign land.
The seller’s country customs officer will catch it before it can be shipped in cargo.
Both the seller and the buyer will have to pay a heavy fine and explain why and where they were sending the illegal items.
However, in some cases, these items can be shipped overseas with special permissions.
Many businesses have the license to buy and sell some items, which are illegal for others.
23. What Do I Do If My Package Gets Stuck In Shipment Clearance?
Your package should not get stuck in customs during shipment clearance if you have all the proper documents.
It will help if you double-check everything with the freight forwarder company before loading cargo to avoid customs hassle.
The customs officer will send you the information on why your package got stuck in the shipment clearance.
Speak to your agent or freight company to solve the problems and clear your goods on time.
Provide correct information about the goods being shipped and also about your buyer or seller.
Also, make sure that all your customs charges are paid.
To avoid such hassle, hire an expert freight company or customs agent who will take care of the shipment clearance.
Final Word
Shipping goods from one place to another needs expert guidance, and one needs to follow the country’s protocols to make shipping happen.
Shipment clearance is a vital part of importing and exporting goods.
Only people having proper knowledge about the topic can provide you with the services you need.
HART Worldwide can provide you with the shipping assistance needed for successful international shipping.
Maintaining package weight, following the rules and regulations of the country, and having proper documents are all part of successful shipping.