Import-export customs coordination

A customs declaration is generally required when goods enter the customs territory of the European Union from a third country or leave it, subject to the relevant procedures, thresholds and special cases. The file must be prepared according to the nature, origin, value and destination of the goods and the customs procedure involved.

Drivet Transport International centralises the information and documents for the shipment, coordinates exchanges between the customer, transport operators, terminals and the authorised professionals required for the formalities, follows customs clearance and release, and then organises onward transport. The customer therefore keeps one operational point of contact for transport and customs coordination.

An EORI number identifies economic operators in their dealings with customs authorities in the European Union. It is generally essential for professional customs operations involving imports or exports and should be provided early enough to avoid delaying the customs file.

Depending on the operation, the file may include a commercial invoice, packing list, EORI details, an accurate description of the goods, value, origin, customs tariff classification and, where applicable, licences, certificates or other specific supporting documents. The exact requirements depend on the goods, country and customs procedure.

Customs tariff classification identifies the goods within the customs tariff. For imports into the European Union, TARIC is used to determine duties and certain trade-policy measures, restrictions, licences or anti-dumping duties that may apply. Accurate classification is therefore a key part of customs preparation.

Customs origin, together with tariff classification and customs value, helps determine how goods are treated by customs. Non-preferential origin must be established for relevant transactions, while preferential origin may, where an agreement and its conditions apply, provide access to reduced or zero customs duties.

Customs value is one of the bases used to calculate import duties and certain taxes. Its determination follows the rules of the Union Customs Code and may require certain costs to be included or excluded depending on the circumstances. It should therefore not automatically be treated as identical to the amount shown on the commercial invoice.

The amount depends in particular on tariff classification, origin, customs value and any measures applicable to the goods. VAT and other possible taxes follow their own assessment rules. Drivet Transport International can coordinate the file so that the required information is available before the shipment arrives.

Incoterms® allocate costs, risks and certain responsibilities between seller and buyer. They also help determine which party is expected to organise export or import formalities. The agreed Incoterm® should therefore be provided when the shipment is planned so that the commercial contract, customs process and transport organisation remain consistent.

Under DAP, the seller organises transport to the agreed place while the buyer normally handles import formalities and import charges. Under DDP, the seller also assumes the import obligations set out by the rule. DDP should nevertheless be checked carefully against the seller’s legal and tax ability to fulfil those obligations in the destination country.

Customs transit allows certain goods to move under customs control before final clearance. T1 is used in particular for non-Union goods moving within the Union customs territory, while T2 applies to certain movements of Union goods through an external territory. This can defer certain formalities until the planned destination office or location.

Yes. Some projects require a temporary customs procedure, for example equipment used for a trade fair, demonstration, technical operation or limited-duration use. The appropriate procedure should be reviewed before departure so that supporting documents, guarantees and any re-export obligations can be anticipated.

Yes. Drivet Transport International can integrate customs coordination into sea, air, rail or road freight so that formalities are aligned with the actual transport schedule: collection, terminal or airport handling, transit, customs clearance, release and final delivery.

There is no single standard time. A complete and consistent file may be processed quickly, whereas an inspection, missing document, classification issue, regulated goods or another discrepancy can extend the process. Preparing customs data before the goods arrive is the best way to reduce avoidable delays.

Customs release is the authorisation allowing the goods to be placed under the intended customs procedure and continue their journey in accordance with the file. Drivet Transport International follows this stage as part of the overall coordination so that collection or delivery can be organised as soon as the necessary conditions are met.