Customs & compliance
Clear paperwork. Fewer delays.
Customs is where good shipments get stuck. We coordinate the documents and work with licensed brokers so you know what is needed before the cargo arrives.
- Our role
- Coordination, not clearance
- Works with
- Licensed customs brokers
- Applies to
- Air and sea shipments
Our role
We do not clear customs. We make sure it is not a guess.
Cargoform is a booking agency. Customs declarations and clearance are handled by licensed brokers at origin and destination. We coordinate the handoff, collect the documents and tell you what is missing before it becomes a delay.
What that means in practice
- We send you a document checklist matched to the route and cargo.
- We check that the invoice, packing list and transport documents agree.
- We pass the file to a licensed broker and follow up on questions.
- We explain duty and tax estimates, but the final assessment is the authority’s.
- If a broker or authority asks for something, we tell you quickly.
Documents
The usual file, before anything moves.
Requirements vary by country, route and commodity. These are the documents most commercial shipments need.
01
Commercial invoice
Shows the seller, buyer, goods, values and terms of sale.
02
Packing list
Shows how the goods are packed, package counts and weights.
03
Bill of lading or air waybill
The transport document issued by the carrier or forwarder.
04
Certificate of origin
Needed for some routes or to claim preferential duty treatment.
05
Permits and licences
Required for restricted goods, food, medicines, plants and some equipment.
06
Insurance certificate
Evidence of cover, if cargo insurance is included.
Duties and taxes
Estimates are not assessments.
Import duties, VAT and other taxes are set by the destination authority. The rate depends on the commodity, its declared value, the country of origin and the applicable trade rules. We can help you understand the likely cost, but only the authority can make the final assessment.
Unless we agree otherwise in writing, duties and taxes are paid by the importer. If they are included in your quote, the quote will say so clearly.
Restricted goods
Some cargo needs a conversation first.
Batteries, chemicals, aerosols, food, medicines, plants, weapons, counterfeit goods and high-value items can be restricted, prohibited or subject to extra controls. So can goods that need a licence or a certificate.
Tell us what is in the shipment before booking. If a route or country cannot accept it, we will say so rather than let it fail at the port or airport.
How we keep it moving
A checklist, not a surprise.
Before booking, we confirm the cargo, route and any known restrictions.
We send the document checklist and check the file for gaps.
The licensed broker receives the file before arrival and raises questions early.
We track the clearance and tell you what has been released and what is still pending.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
The things shippers usually ask us before booking.
Can Cargoform clear my goods?
Can you tell me how much duty I will pay?
What if customs asks for more documents?
Who pays the duties?
Next step
Not sure what your shipment needs?
Tell us the goods and the route. We will send the document checklist before you commit to anything.