Customs Clearance
Customs Clearance
Entry, classification, duty estimates, and release coordination planned with the booking — not after the vessel arrives.
Service overview
How we handle Customs Clearance
Clearance is planned with the booking, not after the vessel arrives. We coordinate classification, duties, and release with licensed brokers in the destination country. Commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates, and permits are collected while the cargo is still moving. Missing papers are raised early so an exam or query does not become a week on the quay. MeridianShield is not the importer of record. We coordinate the file; the consignee or their nominated importer remains legally responsible for the entry.
Ideal for
- First-time importers
- Regular traders who want clearance on the same file
- Vehicle and personal-effects entries
What is included
- Document checklist
- Broker instruction
- Duty estimate
- Release update
Benefits
- Pre-arrival document checks
- Licensed broker coordination
- Duty and tax estimates before arrival
- Hold and exam support
- Permit and certificate chasing
- Release milestone written to the shipment timeline
Process
-
Step 1
Collect commercial documents
Invoice, packing list, bill of lading or AWB, and any certificates.
-
Step 2
Classify and lodge entry
The broker classifies the goods and files with customs.
-
Step 3
Respond to queries
Valuation, origin, or exam requests are handled on the same file.
-
Step 4
Release cargo to the next movement
Once released, trucking or warehouse receiving is triggered.
Service in operation
Suitable cargo types
FAQ
The consignee or their nominated importer. We do not act as importer of record.
Yes, from a complete commercial invoice and a proposed HS classification. Estimates are not a customs ruling.
Incomplete invoices, missing certificates, and undeclared restricted goods.
Related services
Ocean Freight
FCL and LCL sailings on major east-west and north-south trades, with named coordinators, cut-off control, and vessel-level visibility.
View service details →
Container Shipping
Dry, reefer, open-top, flat-rack, and high-cube equipment with depot control from reservation through empty return.
View service details →
Air Freight
Airport-to-airport and door-to-airport priority cargo when the commercial window cannot wait for a sailing.
View service details →
Book Customs Clearance
Share your lane and cargo details. Operations will return routing, transit, and pricing.