The term "customs clearance" is familiar firsthand to persons whose activities are related to the international commercial transportation of goods. It does not matter what exactly we are talking about – a car, baby food, medicines or anything else-when exporting or importing, it will be necessary to observe a fairly complex, multi – stage customs clearance or clearance procedure. In particular, it is necessary to: provide the authorized person with a complete and correct package of documents (invoices, declarations, payment orders, etc.); pay customs duties (depending on the type and volume of exported / imported products); present the goods for direct inspection (customs officers are required to check that there is no contraband among the declared products). After successfully passing all the stages of customs clearance, the head signs the documentation and issues a written permission to move the cargo across the border.

The content of the cleaning procedure may vary. It all depends on the type of goods being transported, its volume, and even on which way it is going. Thus, for the export, import and transit movement of goods, different customs clearance is required. It would seem that everything is simple: you just need to prepare the necessary papers, pay the duties and deliver the products to the final point of the route. However, a small inaccuracy in customs clearance is enough for the cargo to remain in warehouses or arrive at its destination late.

The main advice to entrepreneurs and individuals who face with the need for a one-time customs clearance is simple. You need to carefully study the legal framework and specify in advance the list of necessary documentation that will be required for customs clearance or use the help of experienced freight forwarders.

When moving goods across state borders (import, export, transit, etc.), it is necessary to pay a fee and several custom duties. They are charged for additional services provided by customs. Namely: for registration of exported / imported goods; for issuing the necessary permits and licenses; for conducting direct control and inspection by employees; for finding the moved material values in customs warehouses. Payment transactions are carried out by a business entity, or a person authorized by it. Factors affecting the amount of customs duties The amount of payments for the provision of services by customs is fixed. They are set by the Cabinet of Ministers, and the same authority decides who is exempt from payment. The amount is calculated as a percentage of the total cost in the national currency or in terms of it from a foreign currency. Customs duties, the amount of which varies, include environmental control. It is charged only for a certain group of goods, is paid directly at the border crossing, and depends on the volume of the cargo. In addition, there are several cases in which the fee for registration and stay at customs is not necessary. You can understand the nuances of the Legislation and calculate payments yourself or by contacting specialized specialists.

This term can be safely called the "foundation" of the institution of customs itself. Because it is the purpose and direction of the movement of the cargo that determines its taxation, the order of registration and the status after the procedure. And since the declarant independently fills out the documents when passing the control bodies, he must be guided in the classification and know the definition of the concept itself. Customs control is understood as a set of legislative norms that determine the procedure for moving goods and vehicles across the border and a set of procedures that must be carried out in this case. These issues are regulated by the Customs Code, the Law on Foreign Economic Activity and a number of other legal acts. What types of customs regimes are distinguished? Commercial goods may be transported across the state border for the following purposes: export; import; re-import; re-export; transit; temporary export; stay in a customs warehouse/in a special zone/ in a duty-free shop; for processing on the territory of the Ukrainian customs/outside of Ukraine; for destruction/refusal in favor of the state. The placement of goods in one of the above-mentioned customs regimes is carried out by declaring them and performing all the related formalities. If the goods are placed in a category that does not correspond to it, the customs may refuse permission. Therefore, it is worth carefully studying the legislation before submitting documents.

The contract for cargo transportation is the best guarantee of the parties ' compliance with the terms and obligations. Both international and intercity cargo transportation are associated with many risks. Improper transportation, failure to meet deadlines, or a common typo in documents can lead to major financial losses. The company that provides transport and logistics services is also at risk. The customer may not provide the products in time to prepare for shipment or not pay for the work performed. For both parties, there is only one reliable way to protect their rights – to conclude a one-time or annual contract for cargo transportation. It is this legal document that is crucial in the event of disputes between the customer and the contractor and regulates their relationship. What must be included in the contract for the carriage of goods? The agreement between the owner of the goods and the transport company is traditionally concluded in writing, certified by the personal signatures of the parties and a notary. The contract for the carriage of goods stipulates: the rights and obligations of the carrier, the sender, and the recipient; terms of execution of the order; volumes and conditions of transportation; the order of payment for the service rendered; the degree of responsibility of each of the parties. The document may also include several additional services: loading / unloading of goods, payment of duties and fees, preparation of necessary accompanying documents, customs formalities, and other specific conditions.

All parties for violation of the terms of the agreement (non-compliance with delivery terms, damage to products, failure to provide it to the company in a timely manner, etc.) bear material responsibility in the form of a fine provided for by the tariffs. To prepare a contract for cargo transportation, the sender can involve third-party specialists or entrust this task to the employees of the company that provides transport and logistics services.

The safety of the cargo during transportation depends on many factors, not least on the packaging in which it is packed. After all, in the process of transportation, products are affected by mechanical, biological and climatic factors that can cause significant harm to them. Packaging for goods is considered an independent transport unit and is represented today by a variety of different designs: boxes, tanks, barrels, etc.; According to the method of production and the materials used, packaging for goods can be rigid (wooden, metal, glass, plastic), semi-rigid (cardboard, paper, polymer), soft (fabric, film). The choice of capacity is regulated by the current norms and standards.