Imported Goods – What Customs Agents are looking for…

Have you ever wondered what the Customs Officials are looking for when they examine your shipment of Imported Goods?  Listed below are a few tips, to help you understand and get your goods cleared through the Customs process much faster.

Here are a few things that the Customs Agents are looking for:

• The value of the goods for customs purposes and to check whether duties apply.
• Whether the goods need to be marked with country of origin or require special marking.  If this is lacking, they are then marked to meet regulations.
• Whether the shipment contains prohibited articles.
• Whether the goods are correctly invoiced.
• Whether the goods are in excess of the invoiced quantities or a shortage exists.
• Whether the shipment contains illegal narcotics.

Here are a few things to do, to make sure you shipment will clear Customs much faster:

• Invoices are clear and contain the information you would expect to see on a packing slip.
• Each package is marked and numbered so it can easily be identified against the invoice.
• A detailed description of the merchandise, in each package, listed on the invoice.
• The country of origin is clearly marked.
• Any special laws are complied with.  (Any merchandise such as food, drugs, cosmetics, alcohol and so on will usually fall into this category).
• Your supplier maintains good security, reducing the risk that narcotics smugglers are able to introduce narcotics into your shipment.