01Prepare the invoice, packing list and transport documents so they agree with each other.
Discuss documentsCUSTOMS & CARGO RISK
Customs clearance
and cargo risk.
Prepare the documents, classification and cargo information your destination requires, and confirm where responsibility sits before the shipment reaches the border.
Discuss customs supportDOCUMENTS THAT DECIDE CLEARANCE
Which document
does what?
Most clearance delays come from information that does not match across documents. Check what each one is used for before dispatch.
| Document | What it is used for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | States value, buyer and seller for assessment | Matches the packing list and the shipment |
| Packing list | Describes packages, weights and dimensions | Counts and weights agree with the cargo |
| HS classification | Sets the duty and rule treatment | Correct code for the actual product |
| Certificate of origin | Supports origin claims where required | Issued by the recognised body |
| Product compliance | Meets destination safety or marking rules | Certificates held before dispatch |
Destination rules vary and change. Confirm current requirements with the broker or authority handling your import.
CLEARANCE & RISK AREAS
Prepare the parts that hold up a shipment.
Work through documents, classification, restricted goods and transit risk before the cargo reaches the border.
01↗
02Agree the classification before the entry is prepared, not after.
Discuss classification
03Check acceptance rules and product restrictions before the cargo is offered.
Explore cargo solutions
04Understand what transit cover is available and what it excludes.
Discuss cargo risk
05Plan the timeline and the charges that follow an inspection or a hold.
Discuss clearance planningSHIPPING FROM CHINA
Shipping from China.
A clearer route forward.
Explore destination-specific shipping options, preparation requirements and delivery considerations.
Route availability, cargo acceptance, transit estimates and delivery scope are confirmed per shipment. Destination pages describe service options, not locally owned offices.
View all destinationsGet a freight quoteFULL SERVICE SOLUTIONS
From a service request
to a supply chain solution.
BUILT AROUND YOUR COMPLIANCE
Regulated & Sensitive Cargo
Prepare the product documents and handling rules that restricted or battery cargo needs before it is booked.
Explore cargo solutionsCLEARANCE KNOWLEDGE
Prepare the documents.
Reduce the surprises.
Shipping Documents
Prepare the invoice, packing list and transport documents so they agree.
Explore resourcesHS Codes & Duties
Understand how classification affects duty and rule treatment.
Explore resourcesRestricted Goods
Check acceptance rules before cargo is offered to a carrier.
Explore resourcesGLOBAL BRANDS
Partnering with the best in the business
BLOG INSIGHTS
Shipping Insights & Practical Guides
What changes when you choose DAP delivery
Read article
How to prepare documentation for first-time imports from China
Read article
How to compare DDP and DAP for small replenishment orders
Read articleFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Customs clearance
questions, answered.
Start from the documents and the product, then confirm the destination rules that apply.
What information do I need to request a freight quotation?
Share the product description, supplier pickup city, destination city or address, package count, packed dimensions, gross weight, cargo ready date and the delivery tasks you want included. Flag any figures that are still estimates.
Can I ask for a quote before the goods are packed?
Yes. Mark dimensions and weights as estimates and ask when the amount will be reconfirmed against final packed cargo.
Why do two freight quotations show different totals?
Compare cargo inputs, transport mode, charging unit, delivery boundary, assumptions, validity and exclusions.
Does a door-to-door price include every charge?
Only the items explicitly included in the written quotation. Confirm duties, taxes, inspections, storage and special handling separately.
Which is more suitable for my shipment: air or ocean freight?
Consider cargo size, urgency, route, acceptance requirements and the complete collection-to-delivery cost and timeline.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL uses a container for one shipper’s cargo; LCL combines compatible shipments. Compare packed volume, handling and the full service scope.
LET’S PLAN YOUR NEXT SHIPMENT
Tell us the product.
We will check the paperwork.
Share the product, the destination and the documents you already have. We will come back with what needs to be prepared before dispatch.
Not sure which documents apply? Select “Help me choose” and start with the cargo details.