Every commercial shipment from China has to clear customs twice: export customs in China and import customs in your country. Most clearances take a day or two and you never notice them. When something goes wrong, though, goods can sit at the port for weeks while storage charges grow. This guide explains how import customs clearance works, which documents you need for the USA, UK, Canada and Germany, what the status messages in your tracking mean, and how to avoid the most common delays.
Key points
• Customs clearance is the process of declaring goods to customs, paying duties and taxes, and getting the goods released.
• In most countries a licensed customs broker files the import declaration for you.
• With correct documents, clearance usually takes one to three working days; an inspection can add days or weeks.
• “Customs clearance complete” means customs has released the goods. They still need to be collected or delivered.
• Most delays come from documents that do not match the goods.
Export Clearance vs Import Clearance
| Export customs clearance (China) | Import customs clearance (your country) | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Before the goods are loaded | Before or after the goods arrive |
| Who files | The exporter or its forwarder or customs agent | A customs broker for the importer of record |
| Main documents | Commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration, sometimes a sales contract | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, country-specific forms |
| Taxes paid | Normally none for ordinary exports | Import duty and import VAT or sales tax |
| Typical problems | Product description or quantity not matching the goods; supplier without export rights | Wrong HS code or value, missing importer registration, inspection |
Your forwarder in China usually handles export clearance. If your supplier has no export licence, the forwarder can declare the goods for them. See FCA Incoterms and commercial invoice and packing list.
The Import Customs Clearance Process, Step by Step
| Step | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-arrival filing | For the USA, the ISF must be filed at least 24 hours before loading in China. Other countries also receive advance cargo data from the carrier. | Before departure |
| 2. Documents to the broker | Invoice, packing list and bill of lading sent to the customs broker; the broker classifies the goods and prepares the declaration | Before or on arrival |
| 3. Declaration filed | The broker files the import entry with customs electronically | Usually within a day of receiving documents |
| 4. Risk check | Customs reviews the declaration and decides whether to release or inspect | Minutes to a day |
| 5. Inspection (if selected) | Document review, X-ray scan or physical examination | A few days to a few weeks |
| 6. Duties and taxes paid | Paid by the broker on your behalf, or directly by you | Same day to a few days |
| 7. Release | Customs releases the goods; the carrier or warehouse can hand them over | On payment and clearance |
| 8. Collection or delivery | Container or cargo picked up and delivered | 1–5 days |
For sea freight, the broker can often file before the ship arrives, so the goods are cleared by the time they are unloaded. For air freight and express, clearance usually happens within hours of arrival.
Documents You Need, by Country
| Country | Importer registration | Key documents and filings |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Importer of record number (often the EIN) and a customs bond | ISF before loading (sea freight), entry filed through CBP’s system, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading. See ISF filing and customs bonds. |
| United Kingdom | GB EORI number | Customs declaration, commercial invoice, packing list, transport document; import VAT and duty paid or deferred. See EORI number. |
| Canada | Business number with an import-export account | Customs declaration to the CBSA, commercial invoice, packing list; duty and GST paid. |
| Germany and the EU | EU EORI number | Customs declaration, commercial invoice, packing list, transport document; import duty and import VAT paid. |
Some goods need extra paperwork, such as food and medical products (FDA in the USA), electrical goods with safety marks, batteries (see shipping batteries from China) or goods covered by trade remedies. Check before your supplier ships.
What Customs Clearance Status Messages Mean
Tracking pages from shipping lines, airlines and express couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS show short customs messages. Here is what the common ones usually mean:
| Status | What it usually means | Do you need to act? |
|---|---|---|
| Customs clearance in progress | The declaration has been filed and customs is reviewing it | Normally no; wait one to two days |
| Customs clearance complete / Import customs clearance complete | Customs has accepted the declaration and released the goods for import | No; the goods move to delivery or are ready for pickup |
| Released / Customs release | Same as above: the goods are free to leave customs control | Arrange collection if delivery is not included |
| Clearance delay / Delayed customs clearance | Customs or the broker needs more information, or there is a backlog | Check your email; reply quickly with any documents requested |
| On hold / Held by customs | Customs has stopped the goods for review, payment or inspection | Yes; contact your broker or courier |
| Customs inspection / Exam | The shipment has been selected for an X-ray or physical examination | Usually no action, but expect extra time and charges |
| Duties and taxes due | Payment is needed before release | Yes; pay to avoid storage charges |
| Export customs clearance complete | The goods have cleared export customs in China | No; the next step is departure |
Wording differs between carriers, so if a message is unclear, ask your forwarder what it means for your shipment. See also how to track a shipment from China.
Why Customs Clearance Gets Delayed
| Cause | Example | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Documents do not match the goods | Invoice says 500 pieces, cartons hold 520 | Check carton counts and quantities before export |
| Vague product descriptions | “Parts” or “accessories” instead of what the goods are | Describe material, use and model on the invoice |
| Wrong HS code | Code that does not fit the product, or that changes the duty rate | Agree the HS code with your broker before shipping |
| Value questions | Declared value looks too low for the goods | Declare the real transaction value with a proper invoice |
| Missing importer registration | No EORI number, no customs bond, no import account | Set these up before the first shipment |
| Regulated goods | Batteries, food contact items, electrical goods without required marks | Check requirements with your broker in advance |
| Random or targeted inspection | Shipment selected for exam | Cannot be avoided, but clean documents reduce the chance of longer holds |
| Unpaid duties | Payment not arranged before arrival | Agree who pays, or ship DDP |
In one of our shipments for a US customer, four suppliers sent packing lists in different formats, and some quantities were wrong. We checked the cartons one by one and combined the documents into one corrected set before the export declaration, so the goods cleared without questions.
What Customs Clearance Costs
The total cost of clearance is made up of several parts, and the biggest is often the duty itself:
- Broker fee: charged by the customs broker for preparing and filing the declaration, often per entry.
- Import duty: a percentage of the customs value, set by the HS code and country of origin. For the USA, see US tariffs on Chinese goods.
- Import VAT, GST or sales tax: charged in the UK, EU and Canada at import.
- Government processing fees: for example, US entries carry merchandise and harbour maintenance fees.
- Bond: a single-entry or continuous bond for US imports.
- Inspection charges: paid by the importer if the shipment is examined, plus extra trucking and handling.
- Storage, demurrage and detention: charged by ports, warehouses and shipping lines when goods wait too long.
Ask for a quote that separates these, or ship DDP to have duties and clearance included in one price.
Sea Freight vs Air Freight Customs Clearance
| Sea freight | Air freight and express | |
|---|---|---|
| When filing happens | Often before the ship arrives | Usually on or just before arrival |
| Typical clearance time | 1–3 days after arrival, if pre-filed | Hours to 1–2 days |
| Extra steps | ISF (USA), container release, possible exam at a separate station | Couriers often clear goods themselves and bill duties to the receiver |
| Cost of delay | Port storage, demurrage and detention charges | Warehouse storage charges |
Customs Clearance Checklist Before You Ship
- Confirm who is the importer of record and that their registration is in place (EORI, customs bond, import account).
- Agree the HS code and duty rate with your broker.
- Make sure the invoice shows a clear description, quantity, unit price, total value and Incoterm.
- Check that the packing list matches the cartons and the invoice.
- Check whether the goods need licences, certificates or labels in your country.
- For the USA, make sure the ISF is filed at least 24 hours before loading.
- Agree who pays duties and taxes, and how.
- Keep your phone and email open when the goods arrive, so you can answer customs questions fast.
How JIEYI Handles Customs Clearance
- Export customs in China: we prepare and file the export declaration, including for suppliers without export rights.
- Document checks before export: cartons are checked against packing lists and invoices at our warehouses in Dongguan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
- Import clearance at destination: handled by our partner customs brokers at destination. For the USA, we can file the ISF for you.
- Goods we did not ship: you can also hire us for destination customs clearance and delivery only.
- DDP: duties, taxes and clearance arranged for you and included in the quote.
See our customs clearance services.
FAQ
What does “customs clearance complete” mean?
Customs has accepted the declaration and released the goods. They can now be delivered or collected; any delivery step is still to come.
How long does import customs clearance take?
Usually one to three working days with correct documents. An inspection or missing information can add several days or weeks.
Who is responsible for import customs clearance?
The importer of record, usually the buyer. In practice a licensed customs broker files the declaration. Under DDP, the seller’s side arranges it.
Can I clear customs myself?
In some countries an importer can file its own declarations, but most businesses use a broker because classification and filing rules are complex.
Why is my shipment held by customs?
Common reasons are missing or unclear documents, a payment due, a question about value or classification, or a random inspection. Your broker or courier will tell you what is needed.
What is the difference between customs clearance and customs release?
Clearance is the whole process of declaring goods and paying duties. Release is the final step, when customs allows the goods to leave its control.
What happens during a customs inspection?
Customs may check documents, scan the shipment by X-ray or open it to examine the goods. The importer pays inspection costs and the shipment is delayed until it is finished.
Do I need a customs broker for every shipment?
For commercial imports by sea or air freight, almost always. Express couriers usually act as broker for small parcels and add their fees to the duty bill.
Checked on 4 November 2026. Customs rules, duty rates and fees change; check with your customs broker or the official customs website before you ship. Need help clearing goods from China? Tell us what you are importing and get a quote within 2 hours.
Scan to add us on WeChat
WhatsApp +86 152 1895 5440