«We have an invoice – why does customs need any other documents?»
This question comes up quite often among importers. But it is important to understand: the price of the goods on the invoice and their customs value are not always the same thing.
The customs value is the basis for calculating customs duties and taxes, so the accuracy of its determination directly affects both the amount of payments and the speed of customs clearance.
Depending on the terms of a specific shipment, the customs value may include costs that are not directly stated in the value of the goods: transportation, insurance, loading and other components provided for by customs legislation.
A separate issue is the confirmation of the declared customs value.
The contract, invoice, payment and transport documents, Incoterms delivery terms, insurance information and other documents should form a logical and consistent picture of the foreign economic transaction.
Discrepancies in documents or incorrect determination of the components of the customs value may lead to additional inquiries from customs, delays in clearance and disputes over the declared value.
Therefore, the work of a customs broker begins not when the declaration is submitted, but much earlier – with an analysis of the documents and the terms of the future shipment.
At Grandar, we check the documents before customs clearance begins, identify potential risks and help the client prepare a package of documents so that customs clearance is predictable.
Quality customs clearance is not about solving problems in the process. It is work that makes it possible to avoid a significant portion of these problems even before the cargo arrives.