The customs clearance process for air freight to the United States primarily includes pre-clearance preparation, cargo arrival and pre-clearance, customs review and inspection, tax payment, cargo release, and final delivery and receipt.
Below, Weefreight will provide a detailed explanation, hoping it will be helpful.
Preparing Documents and Qualifications Before Customs Clearance
Basic Documents: The commercial invoice must detail the cargo name, value, country of origin, and HS code, serving as an important basis for calculating tariffs. The packing list must specify the package quantity, weight, and dimensions to ensure consistency with the actual cargo. The air waybill, issued by the airline, contains the core terms of the transportation contract and serves as proof of delivery. The certificate of origin can be used to qualify for tariff preferences and is required if the tax rate reduction or exemption conditions under the China-US Trade Agreement are met.
Special Qualification Requirements: Electronic products must comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards and obtain FCC certification; food, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices must be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); if the goods involve animal or plant products, such as wood or fur, an Endangered Species Certificate from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is required.
Customs Clearance Entity Verification: For customs clearance under the consignee’s name, a POA (Power of Attorney) and consignee bond (import security deposit) must be provided. For customs clearance under the consignor’s name, a bond must be purchased and the importer number registered with the U.S. Customs.
Cargo Arrival and Pre-Clearance
Cargo Arrival and Data Submission: After landing, the airline submits the manifest to customs, which simultaneously triggers the customs broker to submit an electronic customs declaration through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. The customs broker must pre-review the documents to ensure the accuracy of information such as the HS code and declared value to avoid delays.
Risk Assessment and Classification: Customs automatically assesses cargo risks using the ACE system. Low-risk cargo may be released directly without manual intervention. High-risk cargo, such as sensitive items or goods from first-time importers, requires manual review and may require additional documentation or on-site inspection.
Customs Review and Inspection
Document Compliance Review: Customs verifies the completeness of documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin, and the reasonableness of declared values to avoid under- or over-invoicing. For goods involving intellectual property rights or anti-dumping, additional authorization documents or relevant certifications are required.
Cargo Inspection: Customs may randomly or based on risk assessments select goods for unpacking inspection to verify the consistency of product name, quantity, and declared value. Inspections include general inspections, which verify that goods match documentation and take 1-2 days. For goods requiring specialized testing, such as food and pharmaceuticals, laboratory testing may be performed, which can extend the timeframe to 5-7 days.
Tax Payment and Release
Tariff Calculation and Payment: Tariffs are calculated based on the value of the goods, the tax rate corresponding to the HS code, and trade agreements, such as the China-US Phase One Agreement. Payment can be made online through the ACE system, or by a customs broker. Under the DDP model, the logistics provider will cover the cost.
Goods Release: After customs confirms the correctness of documents and taxes and duties are paid, the goods are released through the ACE system. The consignee or customs clearance agent can arrange for collection. If the goods are subject to anti-dumping duties or requirements of partner government agencies (PGAs), such as the FDA or USFWS, additional procedures are required.
Final Delivery and Signature
Sorting and Transportation: After customs clearance, the goods are sorted by the logistics company and assigned to local couriers, such as UPS, FedEx, or trucking companies, who choose the optimal route based on the destination.
Delivery and Feedback: After delivery, the consignee signs for confirmation, and the logistics provider sends the signature information to the shipper through the system, completing the entire process.
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