How to clear your imported car at the destination port

Clearing your car at the destination port is the final stage of import, and being prepared makes it quick and cheap, while disorganisation invites costly storage charges. Understanding the steps lets you act fast once the vessel arrives.

Clearance starts when the ship docks and the car is discharged. You or your clearing agent present the bill of lading, export certificate and its translation, the commercial invoice and the pre-export inspection certificate to customs, who assess duty and taxes on their valuation.

Once duty, VAT and any excise are paid, the car passes any required arrival inspection and is released for collection. A licensed clearing agent handles this efficiently and is well worth the fee for first-time importers unfamiliar with local procedure.

The main cost to avoid is demurrage and port storage, which accrue daily if the car sits uncleared past the free period. Having documents and funds ready before arrival, and instructing your agent early, is the simplest way to keep these charges at zero.

ASTONISHING CARS prepares and checks the full document set before shipping and can connect you with a trusted clearing agent at your port, so clearance is smooth and storage charges are avoided.