Shipping Study Supplies Internationally: How to Avoid Customs Delays in these Five Challenging Countries

Shipping study supplies internationally is a challenge, even for the experts.  I have found In my 20+ years of global logistics experience that the shipping requirements of five countries consistently trip people up. Here they are, along with a few notes regarding their specific regulations.

ARGENTINA

Argentina’s customs regulations for informal (small parcel) clearance shipments limit the declared value per shipment to $1,000 USD (goods, insurance, and freight) and the weight per shipment to 110 lbs./50kg. Formal clearance shipments require importers to request and receive approval from the Argentine Customs Authority prior to importing products from abroad. An Argentine registered importer must utilize the services of an Argentine customs broker for clearance and delivery of shipment. Duty, VAT, and clearance charges must be paid by the importer in country.

BRAZIL

Brazil’s customs regulations for informal (small parcel) clearance shipments limit the declared value per shipment to $3,000 USD (goods, insurance, and freight) and weight per shipment to 150 lbs./68kg. Formal clearance shipments require all importers to apply for an import permit from the Brazil Customs Authority prior to importing products. Brazil registered importers must utilize the services of a Brazil customs broker for clearance and delivery of shipment. Duty, VAT, and clearance charges must be paid by the importer in country.

MEXICO

Mexico customs regulations for informal (small parcel) clearance shipments limit the declared value per shipment to $1,000 USD (goods, insurance, and freight). Shipment declaration values above $1,000 USD require formal entry. Formal clearance shipments require importers to apply for an import permit from the Mexico Customs Authority prior to importing products. The Mexico registered importer must utilize the services of a Mexico customs broker for clearance and delivery of shipment. Duty, VAT, and clearance charges must be paid by the importer in country.

RUSSIA

All exports to Russia must be cleared through ports of entry in Moscow or St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Formal clearance is required for every entry. Duty, VAT, and clearance charges must be paid by the importer in country.

UKRAINE

All exports to Ukraine require formal entry. The business party in Ukraine must be registered with the Ukraine government as a registered importer. Only registered importers can receive goods in country. The registered importer’s assigned broker is responsible for clearing goods through customs. Duty, VAT, and clearance charges must be paid by the importer in country.

CONCLUSION

You’ll find that process and communication is the key to success if you ship internationally. To avoid the little and big errors that lead to customs delays, it is important to:

• Establish a clear process for each country and commit to it. A well-defined process agreed to well in advance of shipping clinical study supplies is my top recommendation for avoiding customs delays.
• Open the communications channels with the owner of the goods, a registered importer, the importer’s broker, the shipper, and the carrier. This support system will help assist clearance and delivery of the goods to your destination country.

I hope these tips will help you keep your international deliveries on track.   Be sure to catch our upcoming webinar on ancillary supplies!  Imperial makes 50,000 shipments into more than 100 countries every year and can help you get your study supplies to the right location at the right time. Call us at 800-777-2591 if you need advice or assistance.