customs clearance

[/ˈkʌstəmz ˈklɪrəns/]
nounpl: customs clearances
desembaraço aduaneiro
1. The official process of inspecting imported or exported goods and ensuring they comply with customs regulations before they are allowed to enter or leave a country
The shipment was delayed due to customs clearance procedures at the port.
O carregamento foi atrasado devido aos procedimentos de desembaraço aduaneiro no porto.
2. The permission or documentation granted by customs authorities allowing goods to pass through a border
We received customs clearance for the merchandise this morning.
Recebemos o desembaraço aduaneiro para a mercadoria esta manhã.
3. The act of completing all required customs formalities and paying applicable duties and taxes
Customs clearance typically takes 24 to 48 hours for standard shipments.
O desembaraço aduaneiro normalmente leva 24 a 48 horas para remessas padrão.
In Brazil, customs clearance is a critical step in international trade, particularly for goods entering through major ports like Santos and Rio de Janeiro. The process is regulated by the Receita Federal (Federal Revenue Service) and often requires the assistance of a licensed customs broker (despachante aduaneiro). Delays in customs clearance can significantly impact supply chains, making it an important consideration for businesses engaged in import-export activities. In the USA, the term is equally important in international commerce, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Synonyms / Sinônimos
customs declarationborder clearanceimport clearanceexport clearancecustoms processing
Antonyms / Antônimos
customs detentioncustoms holdcargo seizure

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desembaraço aduaneiro
Most common and formal term used in Brazilian commerce and logistics
São Paulo
liberação alfandegária
Alternative term used in São Paulo's major port and business areas
Rio de Janeiro
desembaraço aduaneiro
Standard term used in Rio de Janeiro's ports and customs operations
Portugal
desembaraço aduaneiro
Same term used in Portuguese customs, though less frequent in daily usage due to EU regulations

Related Words

tariffdutyimport taxcustoms brokerfreight forwarderbill of ladingdeclaration formcommercial invoice

Related Idioms & Phrases

clear customs
pass through customs
get clearance from customs
awaiting customs clearance
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →