Customs and Clearing Agents on foreign trade
Indispensable to national security and fair trade, Customs is part of the very concept of the State. By allowing only the goods permitted by law to enter the Country, customs control guarantees sovereignty.
Nonetheless, it is common to doubt what the Customs would be and who is part of it. In short, it manages and collects tariffs for the flow of goods, preventing irregular imports and exports. But in a globalized world, notwithstanding, it is not enough to avoid improper entry or exit.
More than that, are the duties of clearance agent to, at the same time, guarantee security and allow the flow of foreign trade. And ultimately improve the fluidity of transactions and to ensure that the exchange laws are complied with. These aspects make the presence of clearance agents in foreign trade being highly necessary.
You may be interested in:
- Cargo customs clearance
- Documents required for international shipping
- Exporting goods outside of the EU
Responsibilities and Duties of Clearance Agent
Customs clearance is an activity that involves several particularities and a lot of bureaucracy, making it necessary a lot of practical knowledge perform it. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the best results and avoid the application of sanctions and other penalties for errors. The duties of Clearance Agent include:
- preparation, entry and monitoring of the customs clearance process, as well as the presentation of documentation related to it;
- receipt of cleared goods;
- withdrawal from customs inspection;
- sending of documents related to customs clearance, including terms of responsibility;
- monitoring the verification of the products at the customs conference, including taking samples for technical assistance and expertise;
- receipt of subpoenas, notifications, infraction notices, orders, decisions, among others, related to customs clearance;
- request and monitoring of customs inspection.
In addition to customs bureaucracy, finding quality transport services can also cause inconvenience. For this reason, Eurosender offers simple and efficient logistics services that guarantee customer peace and confidence during all shipping stages.
What is Custom Clearing Agent?
The Customs Clearance Agent is a professional in the field of foreign trade responsible for clearing the duties and documentation on the import and export all types of goods and merchandise, in compliance with customs regulations and government regulations.
The customs broker represents the export and import companies, carriers and bonded warehouses, before government agencies and other entities. Therefore, this is why the presence of Clearance Agent on foreign trade is so fundamental.
Among the necessary knowledge to carry out this activity, there are customs, logistical, tax and commercial procedures that involve the release of both, imported and exported, cargo in Customs.
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What is the role of clearing and forwarding agent?
The difference between a Clearance Agent and a Freight forwarder is quite simple. Customs broker is a service provider that receives the power (through a power of attorney or contract) to act on behalf of the customer in the process of clearing goods.
The freight agent is mainly responsible for all aspects that involve the elements from the collection to the delivery of your products. If you only need Freight Transport, Eurosender offers access to specialized transportation services of different types.
What is the eligibility criteria for Custom House Agent?
It is necessary to fulfil some prerequisites to become an authorized and licensed Customs House Agent. Although the eligibility criteria for Custom House Agent might vary from Country to Country, few obligations appear as a standard requirement:
- Have proved experience in Customs clearance work;
- Not to be a current Government employee;
- Be a Graduate from a recognized university or a study course related to the field;
- Legal age.
In the United Kingdom, no formal training or qualifications are officially required to become a customs agent. While in the United States, besides the eligibility is necessary to pass the Customs Broker License Examination.
The EU customs union
The Customs union facilitates commercial activities of European companies and harmonizes customs duties on goods from outside EU. Therefore, exists concordance of the fundamental customs law across Europe, following the Single Administrative Document (SAD).
According to it, for goods imported with:
| Value up to €22 | Values from €22- €150 | Values above €150 |
|---|---|---|
| It is not necessary to pay taxes | It is necessary to pay VAT | Is it necessary to pay VAT and Customs |
The circumstances and data mentioned above are subject to change and variation from Country to Country.
Be aware that the customs documentation is only necessary if you are shipping outside the EU. If this is your case, Eurosender not only helps you with the transport but also with advice regarding the process.
Still have questions?
Check our articles that answer the most common questions about shipping.