A Simple Guide To Customs Clearance

-What is customs clearance?

Customs clearance is a compulsory process for any goods entering or leaving a country. It requires the submission of various export and import documentation, as well as the payment of duties, VAT and any additional costs such as storage and testing by customs agents.

Citizens should pay import duties to the customs according to law based on different customs policies of various countries and regions.
Please note that the tax is not collected by Crypto Hash Depot but by local customs.

-How long does customs clearance take?

Customs clearance is typically completed in minutes or hours, but it can extend to days or weeks if there are missing documentation or if the goods needs to be inspected. In such cases the goods will be held until the necessary documentation has been provided or customs agents have completed their checks.

-How do you pay customs charges?

Most importers and exporters will have a freight forwarder or customs broker that pays customs charges on their behalf, saving them the trouble of paying it themselves. If the importer manages their own shipments, they’ll typically be sent an invoice detailing the charges once the goods arrive in the country. These will need to be paid before the goods are released for onward transport.
In certain circumstances, the importer won’t be liable for the payment of import charges. It will depend which incoterms (International Commercial Terms) has been agreed between the importer and supplier (exporter).

-What documentation is required for customs clearance?

The amount of documentation required for customs clearance will vary by country, but the following documents are required in the majority of countries:

Export Documentation

  • Purchase order from the buyer
  • Sales invoice
  • Packing list
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Certificate of origin
  • Any other documentation as required by the buyer, or as outlined in a letter of credit from a financial institution

Import Documentation

  • Purchase order
  • Sales invoice from supplier
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Packing list
  • Certificate of origin
  • All other documentation as required by the buyer or the terms of a letter of credit

If you encounter any issues during customs clearance, please contact us immediately for assistance. If UPS or DHL reaches out regarding customs inquiries, get in touch with us right away. Avoid providing any documentation without consulting us first, as we cannot assist with customs clearance or duty taxes if additional fees are incurred.

Tips: We have compiled a list of common customs clearance policies from various countries for your reference.

Customs and Import Duties in India

Nearly all goods imported into India are subject to customs taxes.

Certain countries impose higher import taxes to encourage the growth of domestic industries. This approach, called Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI), focuses on replacing imported goods with locally manufactured products.

Basic Customs Duty (BCD): Introduced under the Customs Act of 1962, BCD is a tax applied to imported goods. The rate varies based on the type of product, and the Indian government has the authority to grant exemptions or reductions for specific items.

Duty Rates: BCD rates range from 0% to 100%, depending on the item’s HS code and country of origin. Based on historical customer feedback, the average rate is typically around 70% for many products.

Spain Customs and Import Duties

To import goods into Spain, the first requirement is to pay the applicable tariffs or customs duties.

As a member of the European Union (EU), Spain adheres to the EU’s Common Customs Tariff. This means preferential rates are applied to imports from countries that have trade agreements with the EU.

Because the EU functions as a unified trade bloc, products imported into Spain from other EU member states are not subject to tariffs or customs duties. For example, goods arriving from Germany will not incur these fees. However, imports from non-EU countries will be subject to customs tariffs, typically ranging from 0% to 17% of the product’s value, with an average tariff rate of around 4.2%.

UAE Customs and Import Duties

The ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security) oversees customs processes in the UAE. This includes inspections, tariff implementation, customs data management, and efforts to prevent smuggling and fraud for all goods entering, exiting, or transiting through the country’s ports.

Residents making international purchases above the specified threshold are subject to:

  • A 5% import customs duty
  • A 5% value-added tax (VAT)

Items valued at less than AED 300 are exempt from customs duties. However, this exemption does not apply to products such as tobacco, tobacco-related items, e-cigarettes, nicotine liquids, alcoholic beverages, or food containing alcohol.

EU Customs and Import Duties

If you are required to pay import duties, Royal Mail (or your courier) will notify you and provide instructions on how to settle the payment. Since your parcel will be arriving from outside the EU, it may be subject to VAT or excise duty. Additionally, gifts valued above a certain threshold will also incur customs duties. You generally have up to three weeks to pay any charges before the parcel is returned.

To determine the exact amount due, you will need to know the tariff or HS code. If VAT is also applicable, it will be calculated based on the total value of the goods, including the import duty.

Type and value of goods Import duty rate
Any goods under £135 No charge
Gifts worth £135-£630 2.5% (lower for some goods)
Gifts above £630 and any other goods above £135 Depends on the type of goods and country of export. Check the HS code of goods to get the exact rate.