Customs will not legally accept the goods until the proper documentation is filed by the importer or the agent representing the importer. A shipment must be entered within 30 days of arrival or it is sent to a Customs warehouse to be held, at the importers cost, for up to six months. Four specific types of documentation are necessary to file a customs entry. At this juncture, the importer declares the tariff classification and pays the estimated duty and processing fee. Log on to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the US to obtain more information .
Customs generally has two methods of examining goods depending on the type of merchandise.
For small or bulk shipments, the inspection may take place on the docks, at the cargo terminal or the importer's premises. The goods are then released. In other cases, a representative portion of the shipment may be retained for classification or appraisal purposes and the rest released. After the examination is completed, the remainder is released to the importer. Inspections take place to determine several things such as the value of goods and their dutiable status, whether the goods contain the proper marking and labeling, and whether the goods have been properly invoiced.