Skip to main content
Custom Clearance Guideline
Updated over a week ago

Suppose you have a problem streamlining your custom clearance process for your logistic operations. This document provides answers to make the process more efficient and help you navigate it easily.

You will learn the following:

The Procedure of Custom Clearance

The Procedure of Custom Clearance

Below are a few procedures involved in the customs clearance process that you should be familiar with, such as:

  1. Pre-alert: Before the arrival of the shipment, the shipping company or freight forwarder sends a pre-alert message to the last-mile network partner and Customs Authorities at the destination port.

    This message contains shipment details such as the bill of lading number, shipment weight, and expected arrival date. The pre-alert email also sends out the MAWB and Manifest.

    • MAWB: Upon arrival at the destination port, the Customs Authorities require the Master Airway Bill (MAWB) to proceed with the shipment. The MAWB is a legal document providing details about the shipment and as evidence of the contract between the shipper and the carrier.

    • Manifest: After submitting the MAWB, the freight forwarder or carrier offers the manifest to Customs Authorities. The manifest includes details about each shipment within the container or vessel, such as the shipper's name, consignee's name, description of goods, and quantity.

  2. Inspection: Customs Authorities may physically assess the shipment to verify the declared information in the MAWB and manifest. The inspection process may involve opening and examining the shipment's contents, taking samples, and checking the load against the documentation.

  3. Duty and Tax Assessment: After the inspection, Customs Authorities assess the duty and tax payable on the shipment based on the declared value of the goods, the country of origin, and any applicable free trade agreements or exemptions. Failure to pay the assessed duty and tax will result in Customs not releasing the shipment from its custody.

  4. Release: After paying the duty and tax and submitting the necessary documentation, the Customs Authorities release the shipment to the Last Mile network partner.

Note

It's important to note that the customs clearance procedure can vary slightly depending on the specific country, type of shipment, and mode of transportation.

Operational and Documents Requirements

To pass through customs without any issues, specific operational and documentation prerequisites must be fulfilled, which include the following:

Country

Pre Alert Cut-Off Time

Required Document

Australia

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Brunei

12 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Cambodia

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Europe

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Hongkong

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Indonesia

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Malaysia

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

New Zealand

12 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Philippines

12 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Saudi Arabia

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Singapore

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

South Korea

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Thailand

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Taiwan

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

United Kingdom

8 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

United States

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Vietnam

24 Hours

MAWB / Manifest

Note

  • To facilitate smooth communication with our Network partners in each respective country, please forward all email information to the relevant partner.

  • It is important to note that each country may have different contact details. For further guidance, please refer to our support team.

Steps to View Our Custom Clearance Network Partners

From the Luwjistik marketplace, you can view any network partner on board by Luwjistik. To view, click the Marketplace button in the sidebar and filter the Custom button on the right.

Important

Please get in touch with our support team if you have questions or need API integration assistance. Our experienced team members can guide you through the process and ensure a smooth connection between our systems.

Did this answer your question?