CUSTOMS MADE SIMPLE. CLEARED FAST.

Essential documents for customs clearance generally include: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, Certificate of Origin, Import/Export Licenses (if applicable), and Product-specific certificates (e.g., phytosanitary certificates for agricultural goods). Additional documentation may be required based on the nature of goods, country regulations, and trade agreements. Our team will guide you through the specific requirements for your shipments.

Customs clearance timeframes vary widely depending on factors such as: destination country, type of goods, completeness of documentation, compliance with regulations, and customs authority workload. Under normal circumstances, clearance can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Pre-arranged clearance with complete and accurate documentation can significantly expedite the process. We provide estimated timeframes for your specific shipments based on current conditions.

Yes, we provide comprehensive support for special customs programs that can offer significant financial advantages. These include: Duty Drawback (refunds for duties paid on imported materials used in exports), Foreign Trade Zones (duty deferral, reduction, or elimination), Bonded Warehousing, Temporary Import Bonds, Free Trade Agreement qualification, and various country-specific programs. Our customs experts will analyze your supply chain to identify opportunities to leverage these programs for cost savings.

When shipments are selected for inspection or placed on hold, our team acts immediately to: Communicate with customs authorities to understand the reason for inspection/hold, Provide any additional documentation or information requested, Coordinate logistics for physical inspections when necessary, Liaison between you and customs officials to address concerns, and Work to resolve issues as quickly as possible to minimize delays. We maintain strong relationships with customs authorities worldwide, which helps facilitate more efficient resolution processes.

A customs broker specializes in regulatory compliance and is licensed to clear goods through customs, prepare documentation, calculate duties, and represent importers before customs authorities. A freight forwarder primarily arranges the transportation of goods, managing carriers and routes. While some freight forwarders offer customs brokerage services (as we do), specialized customs expertise is crucial for complex shipments. TimeScan provides both services seamlessly integrated, offering you comprehensive supply chain management with specialized expertise in both transportation and customs compliance.