Customs Clearance

Summary

Gallagher Transport helps companies bring goods into the U.S. by managing customs clearance, which is an electronic notification from customs releasing a shipment to its final destination.

Customs clearance rules vary by country and are required at every port worldwide. Required documents may include purchase orders, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and bills of lading.
Expertise and accuracy are critical when choosing a customs broker because documentation errors can cause delays and add hundreds or thousands of dollars in storage fees.
Gallagher Transport offers standalone customs clearance services and encourages importers to provide accurate shipment inventory, cargo value, and business information for a smooth process.

What is customs clearance?

Customs clearance is an electronic notification given by customs to an importer indicating that customs has released their shipment and it can proceed to its final U.S. destination. The process requires documentation including country of origin, supplier details, product specifications, and routing information. A customs broker prepares and submits these documents on behalf of importers.

Customs Clearance: What You Need to Know

Customs Clearance rules and regulations vary from country to country. Customs Clearance is required at every port around the world. Gallagher Transport enables companies to bring goods into the U.S. from another country. A simple way to think about customs clearance is an electronic notification given by customs to an importer to show that customs has released their shipment and it can be shipped to its final U.S. destination.

When importing shipments into the U.S. information required for each shipment may include country of origin, the supplier or manufacturer’s complete details, product specifications and routings. As your customs broker, Gallagher Transport will advise you on which documents are required for your specific shipment, prepare and submit them for you.

When importing, required Customs Clearance documents may include

Purchase Order
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Certificate of Origin
Bill of Lading or Airway bill
Licenses/Permits required for partner government agencies
Other documents required by the buyer, financial institution or importing country regulation.

Customs Clearance: Expertise & Accuracy are Critical

If there is a problem with the customs clearance documentation that results in a delay in the release of shipment, fees for warehousing and storage costs can add up quickly and could potentially add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your shipping costs. As a result, choosing the right company to manage your customs clearance can have a direct impact on your bottom line. At Gallagher Transport we pride ourselves on being a customs broker you can trust to clear your goods efficiently and cost effectively.

While all customs brokers and freight forwarders are licensed to get your shipments cleared in the United States, there is a big difference in service and commodity expertise. It is important to factor in experience, knowledge and communication when choosing the right company to clear customs for your shipment. While price is always a consideration when choosing a vendor, in this instance the freight forwarder or customs broker with the lowest bid may not have the same level of expertise as the one whose bid is slightly higher. If expertise is not considered, a small savings at the front end may translate into huge costs down the road.

While Gallagher Transport recognizes the importance of filing your customs clearance paperwork correctly, it is equally as critical that the importer provide accurate information regarding shipment inventory, cargo value and business information. The goal is to have CBP give your cargo shipment a low risk assessment. Being accurate goes a long way toward a smooth customs clearance process.