customs clearance

Meaning

Customs clearance refers to the official permission granted by a government authority allowing goods or passengers to enter or leave a country. It involves documenting, inspecting, and paying duties on imported or exported items. This process ensures compliance with national regulations and is essential for international travel and logistics.

Examples

• Passengers should allow at least two hours for customs clearance when arriving on international flights.

  Passengers should allow at least two hours for customs clearance when arriving on international flights.

• The shipping agent confirmed that our cargo is currently undergoing customs clearance at the port.

  The shipping agent confirmed that our cargo is currently undergoing customs clearance at the port.

• Without the correct documentation, your personal belongings may be delayed during customs clearance.

  Without the correct documentation, your personal belongings may be delayed during customs clearance.

• The airline is not responsible for any delays caused by customs clearance procedures in the destination country.

  The airline is not responsible for any delays caused by customs clearance procedures in the destination country.

• We finally obtained customs clearance for the medical equipment after submitting the required certificates.

  We finally obtained customs clearance for the medical equipment after submitting the required certificates.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We had to wait a long time for the custom clearance.

  ✓ We had to wait a long time for customs clearance.

  The noun 'customs' must always be plural in this context. Using the singular 'custom' refers to a habit or tradition, not the government border control agency.

• ✗ The clearance of customs took longer than expected.

  ✓ Customs clearance took longer than expected.

  While 'clearance of customs' is grammatically understandable, 'customs clearance' is the standard, highly preferred compound noun used in formal travel and shipping contexts.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The import company managed to expedite the ___ process by submitting all paperwork digitally.

  💡 The official process of getting goods through border control.

  Show answer

  customs clearance

• Please ensure you have your passport and declaration form ready before entering the ___ area.

  💡 The physical zone at an airport or port where passengers are cleared.

  Show answer

  customs clearance