Keys to Releasing Goods Without Setbacks: How to Speed Up Customs Clearance
In today’s global environment, every day that a shipment remains on hold or faces delays at customs represents not only an additional cost but also a missed opportunity. In Mexico, customs procedures require precise compliance with information, permits, regulations, documentation, and constant supervision. Here we share how to make your operation flow smoothly and without complications.
Advance Preparation: The Prelude to Clearance.
- Before the goods even arrive at the customs facility, all key documents must be ready: commercial invoice (value, unit, origin, Incoterm), packing list, bill of lading, correct tariff code, prior permits (phytosanitary, sanitary, environmental, if applicable), and the proper importer registration.
- Having a clear, digitized, and structured document management system — like Silva Herzog’s — helps ensure that the process doesn’t stall due to missing information.
Seamless Regulatory Compliance.
- Regulations in foreign trade never rest: regulatory changes, new security requirements, and additional conditions for certain sectors make it essential to stay updated.
A clear example is one of our clients in the manufacturing industry, who recently faced a challenge when importing components from Asia. By working with a customs broker who ensured that all origin permits and sanitary verifications were in order, they were able to release the goods within 24 hours — avoiding blockages and surcharges that other operations in the same sector encountered.
Technology and Visibility Throughout the Process.
- Automation, integration, and traceability are key elements to accelerating customs clearance. Systems that enable electronic data capture, real-time monitoring of clearance status, and efficient communication with customs authorities help reduce errors, prevent delays, and optimize resources.
At Silva Herzog, our customs agents use digital platforms to upload all documentation in advance, allowing customs authorities to perform pre-validation before the container arrives. This ensures that once it reaches the port, the cargo can be cleared without additional physical inspection.
Close Coordination and Qualified Teams.
- Fast clearance depends not only on documents and systems — it also requires skilled human talent. Having personnel who understand customs regimes, know the procedures, are trained in regulations, and maintain direct communication with importers makes all the difference..
That’s why we constantly invest in internal training and collaboration with customs agents, preventing common mistakes such as incorrect tariff classifications, which can cause delays of several days or even weeks.
Archiving, Tracking, and Post-Clearance Management.
- Releasing goods is not the end of the road. Having an accessible electronic archive of all procedures, ensuring shipment tracking, and managing post-clearance compliance and legal risks are essential parts of the value chain.
The success of an international operation depends not only on how much is bought or sold, but on how quickly and accurately goods can move. When it comes to releasing goods efficiently, minimizing risks, and optimizing logistics processes.
