Can't tell the difference between customs clearance and entry clearance? 90% of people get it wrong!

Have you ever been confused by the terms "customs clearance" and "entry clearance" when sending international packages? Mr. Zhang recently encountered such a confusion: His overseas online shopping package was stuck at the customs. The customer service told him that it was "under entry clearance", while the logistics information showed "under customs clearance". What on earth is going on? Today, we will unveil the mystery of these two professional terms and let you thoroughly understand their differences and connections.

Customs clearance refers to the entire process of handling customs procedures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations when goods or items cross the national border. It includes multiple links such as declaration, inspection, taxation, and release. Simply put, it is the whole process from the goods entering customs supervision to final release.

Entry clearance focuses more on the specific review and handling process of goods by the customs. It mainly includes:

• Reviewing the documents of imported and exported goods
• Determining the classification, price, and origin of goods
• Calculating the payable customs duties and taxes
• Deciding whether to inspect the goods

Although customs clearance and entry clearance are often confused, there are indeed some important differences:

• Different scopes: Customs clearance is a more macroscopic concept, including all customs procedures including entry clearance; entry clearance is the core link in the customs clearance process.
• Different subjects: The subjects of customs clearance include importers and exporters, customs brokers, and the customs; the main subject of entry clearance is the customs.
• Different time nodes: Customs clearance starts from the declaration of goods and ends with release; entry clearance mainly occurs in the customs review stage.

Ms. Li recently encountered a typical case: The overseas health products she purchased had a delay in entry clearance due to the discrepancy between the declared value and the actual value. This kind of situation is not uncommon in cross - border e - commerce. Here are several common problems:

• Incomplete or incorrect documents
• Disputes over commodity classification or valuation
• Items involving prohibited or restricted imports and exports
• Errors in tax calculation

To avoid troubles in the customs clearance process, you can pay attention to the following points:

• Understand the customs regulations of the destination country in advance
• Ensure that all documents are true, complete, and accurate
• Declare the commodity value and name reasonably
• Choose an experienced customs broker (such as Zhongshitong)
• Reserve time for possible inspections and supplementary materials

There are many factors affecting customs clearance efficiency, mainly including:

• The work efficiency and process of the customs
• The types and quantities of imported and exported goods
• The integrity and accuracy of declaration materials
• Special periods (such as holidays, policy adjustment periods)
• Whether it involves inspections or sampling tests

With the development of technology, the customs clearance process is undergoing a digital transformation:

• The popularization of the electronic customs declaration system
• The application of intelligent document - reviewing technology
• The exploration of blockchain technology in document verification
• The improvement of risk control capabilities through big data analysis

Understanding the differences between customs clearance and entry clearance can not only help us better handle international logistics issues, but also enable us to more pertinently seek solutions when encountering customs clearance obstacles. The next time your package is stuck at the customs, you might as well first check which link has a problem and then take corresponding countermeasures.

What interesting or tricky problems have you encountered in the process of customs clearance or entry clearance? Welcome to share your experiences in the comment section, and let's explore together how to make cross - border trade more smooth and efficient!