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Calculation of customs duties explained
Custom clearance charges
Global Shipping & Freight Florida can help you understand when customs charges apply and how customs duties are calculated.
Every shipment must undergo customs clearance before entering another fiscal zone and being brought into free circulation within the European Union. The procedure includes carrying out import formalities so that the goods can be sold in the EU on the same basis as a product manufactured in any of the member states. Every international shipment is then subject to the customs process, which actually begins in the country of origin and ends when the item is delivered abroad.
Who decides about customs charges in the EU, Canada & Mexico?
Customs is an authority responsible for administering charges imposed by the government on the imported goods, as well as controlling their flow. Duty charges affect the global economy and every single country involved in international trade. To regulate the made transactions, each customs agency should keep track of all shipments that reach the national ports or cross the borders. If necessary, relevant documentation is presented to the customs and then the duties and taxes to be levied are determined.
The whole process, however, is much easier when shipping to Canada. We take care of all custom clearance, hassle free for our customers. When shipping inside Europe, any customs charges in the EU are usually included in the price of a door-to-door service. Different rules apply only to goods which are subject to excise duty, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. But, depending on the local legislation, some goods may also be forbidden to leave or enter the specific country.
The whole process, however, is much easier when shipping to Canada. We take care of all custom clearance, hassle free for our customers. When shipping inside Europe, any customs charges in the EU are usually included in the price of a door-to-door service. Different rules apply only to goods which are subject to excise duty, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. But, depending on the local legislation, some goods may also be forbidden to leave or enter the specific country.
How is the custom duty calculated?
The aim of customs valuation is to establish the customs value of imported goods. Yet, there are different methods for the calculation of a custom duty. When it comes to a specific duty, the value of the goods does not have to be determined – a fixed amount based on the number of goods is charged instead. On the contrary, an ad valorem duty depends on the value, which means that a more precise calculation of customs duties is necessary to determine applicable import fees.
Since calculating the custom duty for a product can be a complicated process, customs procedures in the European Community have recently been modernised to facilitate international trade. Customs Decisions System (CDS) is said to increase process efficiency, supporting the authorities of every member state in the proper management of submitted applications and issued decisions valid in the whole EU, while protecting their financial interests. At the same time, traders can easily apply for and manage customs decisions regarding their cases, thanks to a single EU interface.
Since calculating the custom duty for a product can be a complicated process, customs procedures in the European Community have recently been modernised to facilitate international trade. Customs Decisions System (CDS) is said to increase process efficiency, supporting the authorities of every member state in the proper management of submitted applications and issued decisions valid in the whole EU, while protecting their financial interests. At the same time, traders can easily apply for and manage customs decisions regarding their cases, thanks to a single EU interface.
Customs clearance documents
Customs clearance involves preparation and submission of documents required to facilitate transportation, proper assessment of the shipment's value and payment of duty. As long as the goods are suitable for transit within the EU, they will not be subject to customs clearance or any of the associated charges. When shipping outside of the European Community, however, additional paperwork is required.
Some of the documents for customs clearance include purchase orders from the buyer, invoices, packing lists, shipping bills, air way bills, certificates of origin and any other documentation imposed by the regulations of the specific country. Therefore, it is important to check local legislation in order to determine what documents for customs clearance are needed.
Global Shipping & Freight Florida, we recognize that logistical disruptions and unforeseen circumstances may occasionally delay the timely collection of cargo. To accommodate such situations, we provide secure, professionally managed storage solutions for containers that remain uncollected beyond the designated timeframe, while maintaining full transparency regarding all associated costs.
Upon arrival at major international gateways such as the Port of Rotterdam and the Port of Antwerp, shipments are granted a defined free time window, typically spanning several days, during which no charges are applied. Once this period expires, demurrage charges commence, reflecting the cost of occupying terminal space, with rates increasing progressively based on the duration of storage.
Should a container be released but not returned to the carrier within the stipulated timeframe, detention charges will apply, compensating for extended equipment usage. Additionally, storage fees may be incurred when containers are transferred to secured off-port facilities for extended holding, ensuring continued protection and accessibility of cargo.
In instances where customs clearance is delayed or incomplete, regulatory penalties may be imposed in accordance with applicable import requirements. In prolonged cases of non-action, carriers or authorities may enforce corrective measures, including cargo relocation, auction, or disposal.
Our structured storage and handling framework is designed to mitigate such risks, offering clients flexibility, operational clarity, and cost-efficient cargo management solutions.
Please note that failure to collect a container within the allocated free time at ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Bremerhaven and any port, will result in the application of the aforementioned charges, including demurrage, detention, storage, and any applicable customs-related fees, depending on the duration of delay and compliance status.
Some of the documents for customs clearance include purchase orders from the buyer, invoices, packing lists, shipping bills, air way bills, certificates of origin and any other documentation imposed by the regulations of the specific country. Therefore, it is important to check local legislation in order to determine what documents for customs clearance are needed.
Global Shipping & Freight Florida, we recognize that logistical disruptions and unforeseen circumstances may occasionally delay the timely collection of cargo. To accommodate such situations, we provide secure, professionally managed storage solutions for containers that remain uncollected beyond the designated timeframe, while maintaining full transparency regarding all associated costs.
Upon arrival at major international gateways such as the Port of Rotterdam and the Port of Antwerp, shipments are granted a defined free time window, typically spanning several days, during which no charges are applied. Once this period expires, demurrage charges commence, reflecting the cost of occupying terminal space, with rates increasing progressively based on the duration of storage.
Should a container be released but not returned to the carrier within the stipulated timeframe, detention charges will apply, compensating for extended equipment usage. Additionally, storage fees may be incurred when containers are transferred to secured off-port facilities for extended holding, ensuring continued protection and accessibility of cargo.
In instances where customs clearance is delayed or incomplete, regulatory penalties may be imposed in accordance with applicable import requirements. In prolonged cases of non-action, carriers or authorities may enforce corrective measures, including cargo relocation, auction, or disposal.
Our structured storage and handling framework is designed to mitigate such risks, offering clients flexibility, operational clarity, and cost-efficient cargo management solutions.
Please note that failure to collect a container within the allocated free time at ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Bremerhaven and any port, will result in the application of the aforementioned charges, including demurrage, detention, storage, and any applicable customs-related fees, depending on the duration of delay and compliance status.
Customs brokers
As already mentioned, rules and regulations may differ from country to country. Yet, their understanding is important to any sender, whether exporting or importing goods. This is when turning to customs brokers may be worth considering. Researching the necessary paperwork beforehand is always recommended, but allowing the right person to handle the documents for customs clearance can save a lot of trouble, including additional costs and possible delays. Technically, any courier company or freight forwarder should be able to handle the customs process in a timely manner, but it can also be arranged separately with customs brokers.
Apart from choosing an experienced company to manage the customs process, it is also important to properly pack and load the goods. Every sender is responsible for getting the shipment ready for transportation, and doing it right definitely increases the chances of crossing any borders without problems. When hiring customs brokers, it is also important to provide as many details about the shipment as possible. When all provided information is complete and accurate, producing the customs clearance documents should not be a problem.
Apart from choosing an experienced company to manage the customs process, it is also important to properly pack and load the goods. Every sender is responsible for getting the shipment ready for transportation, and doing it right definitely increases the chances of crossing any borders without problems. When hiring customs brokers, it is also important to provide as many details about the shipment as possible. When all provided information is complete and accurate, producing the customs clearance documents should not be a problem.
