What regulations apply to the customs clearance of goods in international transport?
March 2, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Konrad Falk
Dear lawyer specializing in transport and freight law,
I am reaching out to you as I urgently need help regarding the customs clearance of goods in international transport. My name is Jürgen Weise and I am the managing director of a freight forwarding company that regularly transports goods abroad.
Lately, we have been experiencing problems with the customs clearance of goods, especially regarding the different regulations and requirements in various countries. This not only leads to delays and additional costs, but also to uncertainties regarding the correct handling of customs formalities.
I am concerned that these issues may have a negative impact on our business and could potentially lead to legal consequences. Therefore, I urgently need information on the regulations and requirements for customs clearance of goods in international transport and how we can ensure that we comply with them correctly.
Could you please explain in detail what steps and documents are required to properly carry out customs clearance of goods in international transport? Are there specific risks or pitfalls that we should be particularly careful about? And what options are available to solve any issues with customs clearance and prevent them in the future?
I thank you in advance for your assistance and look forward to your helpful information.
Sincerely,
Jürgen Weise
Dear Mr. Weise,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the customs clearance of goods in international transportation. It is understandable that you are concerned about the issues with customs clearance, as it can not only lead to delays and additional costs, but also potential legal consequences. It is important to be familiar with the regulations and requirements in different countries and ensure that you comply with them correctly.
To properly conduct customs clearance of goods in international transportation, certain steps and documents are required. Firstly, you need to know the correct customs tariffs and regulations for the countries you are transporting goods to. This includes preparing and submitting the necessary customs documents such as the commercial invoice, bill of lading, and potentially other documents like the certificate of origin or the EUR.1 certificate.
It is crucial to ensure that the information in the customs documents is accurate and complete, as incorrect or incomplete information can lead to issues with customs clearance. Additionally, you should make sure to complete the customs formalities in a timely manner to avoid delays.
There are certain risks and pitfalls that you should be particularly mindful of. These include potential customs violations such as misdeclaration of goods or failure to pay duties and taxes. Such violations can result in fines or other legal consequences. Therefore, it is advisable to seek advice from an experienced attorney specializing in transport and logistics law to minimize these risks.
If there are issues with customs clearance, there are various ways to resolve them. For example, you can enlist the help of a customs broker to assist with the customs formalities. Additionally, you can seek assistance from your attorney to clarify legal questions and resolve any disputes.
Overall, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the regulations and requirements for customs clearance of goods in international transportation and ensure that you comply with them correctly. An experienced attorney specializing in transport and logistics law can support you in this regard and help you solve problems and avoid them in the future.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available to answer any further questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Konrad Falk
Attorney specializing in transport and logistics law
