Importing goods can be profitable for companies who wish to enter another market in another country; however, it can be challenging without assistance. This is where customs clearance companies come in to play. A customs clearance company will take responsibility for compliance matters, will make sure that all the documentation is completed and coordinated, so you can export freely without delays or penalties. 

In this article we will explain to you how the right partner can assist you in export activities dealing specifically with how Air Cargo service, freight forwarding service and custom service companies will assist you in the export process.

Understanding the Role of a Customs Clearance Company

A customs clearance company is a company that ensures that the goods meet all legal requirements with regard to exporting. A customs clearance service will act as the bridge between businesses, regulators and logistics personnel.

The main tasks of customs clearance companies include:

• Completing and checking export documentation
• Calculating and paying duties or taxes
• Communicating with customs authorities
• Complying with international trade requirements

Whatever mode of shipment (air, sea, land) your goods follow, a customs release company will ensure that your goods are safely cleared.

Why Customs Clearance is Critical for Exporters

Regulations surrounding international trade vary by country, and one small error regarding paperwork (e.g. classification) can lead to expensive delays. A trusted customs clearance firm guarantees:

• Faster clearance of shipments thus less port or airport storage fees.
• Assurance of compliance therefore no fines and penalties.
• Coordination – importer/exporter, transporters and customs officers.

Air Cargo Services: Speeding Up Global Trade

Air Cargo services are the fastest way to move a lot of perishable goods, high valued goods and goods that are urgently needed. A customs clearance company that understands air freight will:

• Clear and prepare documentation to ship the same day or next day 
• Coordinate with the airline and airport customs authority 
• Provide real time tracking for the shipment 

With air cargo services and professional customs representation, businesses can have piece of mind that they will meet the strict timelines.

Freight Forwarding Services for Exporters

A freight forwarding service is important for businesses that ship large exports or bulk exports. In this context, a freight forwarding service is a company that does the planning, coordination, and movement of freight on behalf of your business across their international borders. With these in mind, when choosing a custom service offering freight forwarding service companies to partner with you may want to consider the following benefits:

• Complete shipment management
• Affordable shipping solutions by air, sea, or overland
• Consolidation of goods and better freight rates

A customs clearance company will also have freight forwarding capabilities that are complementary. A customs service company will be able to arrange from your freight to warehousing, throughout the process to final delivery. This gives your export or your business an all-in-one logistics solution.

Key Benefits of Working with a Customs Service Company

A customs services company offers exporters more than just preparing documents.  They provide exporters with many strategic advantages such as:

1. Time Savings

Exporters spend their time handling employee issues and customer issues when professional companies manage the customs forms, duties, and shipping paperwork.

2. Compliance/Risk Management

Managing any trader’s risk and/or penalties by avoiding anything that is considered misclassification of goods and ensuring that no documents are missed, etc.

3. Cost Reduction

Potentially finding savings in freight forwarding services and minimizing Air Cargo services.

Step-by-Step Export Process with a Customs Clearance Company

When you have the customs broker working for you, it is very simple to export cargo.

Step 1 – Documentation Preparation

The customs broker prepares and reviews the commercial invoices, packing slips, and certificates of origin for completeness.

Step 2 – Declaration Submission

In most cases, the customs service will submit declarations to customs for you.

Step 3 – Freight

If they choose to they can provide you with the Air Cargo service or haulage to move your cargo.

Step 4 – Clearance/Destination

Once the shipments are cleared through customs, they are delivered the destination port or delivered directly to the customer.

How Air Cargo and Freight Forwarding Work Together

Some exporters may require both Air Cargo services and freight forwarding services. For example, they might utilize air freight for urgent or high-value deliveries and sea freight for larger deliveries or bulk shipments. A customs clearance provider that offers both services should reduce the chance of:

• Co-ordinating both transportation methods
• Providing accurate customs documentation for each type of shipment
• Reducing transit times through professional planning and knowledge.

Choosing the Right Customs Clearance Partner

When choosing a custom service company, exporters should consider:

• Experience across several markets – to deal with different regulations
• Comprehensive logistics capabilities – Air Cargo services and freight forwarding services
• Outstanding communication – updates on status & whereabouts of shipment

When working with a partner fully informed of both legal and logistical considerations, exporters can breathe easy.

Common Mistakes Exporters Should Avoid

Even with a customs clearance company, exporters should remain aware of:

• Incorrect HS quoting products
• Missing or incorrect shipping documents
• Customs duties not being included in the pricing strategy

The customs service company will generally assist with avoiding any potential issues by walking you through each stage.

Conclusion: 

Exporting products can provide fantastic opportunities, but it involves considerable detail needed for accuracy, compliance, and logistics. By utilizing an experienced customs clearance company that offers Air Cargo services and freight forwarding services, exporters can focus on their business growth by outsourcing customs and transportation to professionals. 

At TTC Shipping we are proud to be a reliable custom service company that will get goods to any destination quickly, safely and in full compliance with international regulations. We make exporting easy, reliable and affordable because of our team’s commitment and expertise.