The most expensive delay is the one that was not in the plan. In most cases cargo stands still not because of customs as such, but because of a piece of paper nobody prepared in advance.
Why documents are a deadline, not a formality
A document that is missing at the moment of filing costs you not a fine but a standstill. The temporary storage warehouse counts days, the line counts demurrage, and both bills grow while somebody hunts for a signature.
Prepare the pack before departure, not before arrival. That is the one piece of advice in this article worth remembering whole.
T1 — internal transit
T1 is opened when cargo moves across EU customs territory without being cleared. Without it the cargo goes no further than the port.
In practice T1 comes down to having the full pack at the moment of departure: invoice, packing list, transport document and guarantee. We open T1 the same day you ask, provided the pack is assembled.
CHED — sanitary and phytosanitary control
CHED is required for foodstuffs, feed, timber and a number of other categories. It is filed before arrival, and this is where schedules most often break down: an application filed after arrival means the cargo waits at the control post.
DGD — dangerous goods
The dangerous goods declaration is drawn up before loading. Our IATA-certified DGR specialists prepare the DGD on site, including a check of the markings while the cargo is still in the warehouse — a category not every carrier is willing to take at all.
