International trade in perishable food requires not only quality in production but also efficiency in transportation. Among the steps that make this process faster and safer is customs transit, an essential procedure for moving cargo under customs control.
In this article, you’ll learn what customs transit is, how it works in practice, its different types, advantages, and importance to the food industry.
What Is Customs Transit?
Customs transit is a procedure that enables the transport of perishable food from one location to another—within the same country or between different countries—under the supervision of customs authorities.
In practice, this means that the cargo can pass through ports, airports, and borders without having to be cleared immediately. For the food industry, customs transit is even more important, since perishable products require speed and meticulous control during transport.
The purpose is to organize this movement without allowing the goods to fall outside government control. It therefore involves a combination of logistics and oversight. The cargo must reach the correct destination within the established timeframe and in the condition specified in the documentation.
How Does Transport Under Customs Control Work?
The process begins with the initiation of the customs procedure. The company or its representative submits the necessary documentation and provides details such as origin, destination, goods, vehicle, and route, in accordance with applicable rules.
Next comes the review by the customs authority. Depending on the operation, this may involve a document review, an inspection, or the use of control mechanisms. The cargo unit may be sealed or fitted with another security mechanism.
The next step is transportation. The goods are transported to the customs office or destination facility within the authorized time frame. During transit, the cargo remains subject to the customs procedure. Therefore, route changes, tampering with seals, detours, or delays must be handled in accordance with applicable procedures.
At the destination, the goods and documents are presented. The authority verifies that the information matches, and once everything is in order, the transit procedure is closed.
It seems straightforward, but in practice, there are several variables: traffic congestion, schedule changes, vehicle problems, weight discrepancies, incomplete documentation, and health requirements. Effective customs management must take these details into account before departure.
In summary:
| Step | What Happens | Key Considerations |
| 1. Opening the customs procedure | The company submits documents and provides information on the origin, destination, cargo, vehicle, and route. | Verify the information before proceeding. |
| 2. Customs review | The authority reviews the documents and may conduct an inspection or check. | Ensure that documents and cargo comply with regulations. |
| 3. Transportation | The cargo proceeds to its destination within the authorized timeframe. | Follow the route, meet the deadline, and monitor the seals. |
| 4. Arrival at the destination | The cargo and documents are presented to customs authorities. | Verify that the information matches the cargo. |
| 5. Completion | The authority confirms compliance and clears the transit. | Record the closure of the operation. |
Types of Customs Transit Procedures
Furthermore, customs transit can take different forms, depending on the type of operation and the cargo’s route. Among the main types are:
- Inbound customs transit: when goods arrive in a country through a port or airport and must proceed to another customs point for clearance;
- Domestic customs transit: occurs within the same territory, allowing for transport between different customs zones, such as ports, processing zones, or warehouses;
- Transit through a country: used when cargo passes through a country solely to reach another international destination;
- International transit: allows the movement of goods between countries that are signatories to customs cooperation agreements.
What Are Primary and Secondary Zones?
The difference between primary and secondary zones helps explain why customs transit exists.
In Brazil, the primary zone comprises customs-controlled areas at ports, airports, and border crossings. The secondary zone, on the other hand, corresponds to the rest of the customs territory.
Imagine a shipment arriving at a port. The port is located in the primary zone. If the shipment is subsequently cleared at a facility located in another area, the movement between these points can take place under the customs transit regime.
This distinction has operational implications. Handling and storage facilities are subject to different forms of control, and the transfer of goods must comply with the conditions set by the authorities.
For frozen products, this becomes particularly critical. Logistics must balance customs control with maintaining the proper temperature. A truck that is idled for too long or a poorly planned transfer can compromise the cargo.
What Documents Are Required Under This System?
Although each country has its own specific procedures, customs transit generally relies on three pillars:
- Declarations: provide details about the cargo, such as product type, weight, value, and destination;
- Authorizations: issued by customs authorities, they allow the cargo to continue its journey;
- Guarantees: ensure that, in the event of noncompliance with the rules, the applicable duties will be paid.
These elements form the foundation of trust necessary for goods to transit through different territories without compromising tax revenue and, at the same time, facilitate the flow of international trade.
Examples of Documents in Latin America
In Latin America, the names and procedures vary from country to country.
- Brazil — DTA: The Customs Transit Declaration (DTA) is used in operations provided for by Brazilian law. One example is the movement of imported goods from the point of entry to the facility where customs clearance will take place;
- Mexico — Transit Declaration: Mexico uses the transit declaration as the central document for its foreign trade operations. For international transit, the 2026 regulations establish specific procedures for the transit declaration, including information on the goods, classification, and control of the operation;
- Colombia — DTA: The DIAN defines the DTA as the Declaración de Tránsito Aduanero. This regime allows for the transport of goods under customs control between customs offices within the national territory;
- Chile — DTI: The Declaración de Tránsito Interno is used for operations involving foreign goods in transit through Chilean territory. The documentation may cover modes such as direct, indirect, and general transit;
- Peru — DAM: The Declaración Aduanera de Mercancías (DAM) is used for various customs procedures, including customs transit. In Peru, supporting documents may include transport documents, an invoice or equivalent, a guarantee, and control documents for restricted goods.
Key Advantages of the Customs Transit Regime
The use of customs transit offers essential benefits to the food sector, such as:
- Streamlined logistics processes, meaning reduced dwell time for cargo at borders and ports;
- Cost savings, as it avoids the payment of taxes at intermediate locations;
- Operational security, thanks to constant monitoring by authorities;
- Standardization of procedures, which facilitates integration between different countries and customs zones;
- Faster supply, as food reaches the end consumer more quickly;
- Fewer losses due to perishability, as it is possible to preserve quality and reduce waste during transport;
- Greater competitiveness, as it strengthens exporters and importers in the international market.
What Precautions Help Prevent Delays and Penalties?
The first step is to check the documentation before the cargo departs. It may seem basic, but discrepancies between shipping documents and the actual cargo are among the issues that can raise questions.
Another precaution is to monitor the authorized transit period. The goods must arrive at their destination within the established conditions. In Peru, for example, the transit procedure includes specific requirements for delivering the cargo within the authorized timeframe.
Traceability also warrants attention. Data on vehicle location, cargo identification, seals, and schedules help quickly identify any deviations.
For food products, planning must incorporate the cold chain from the outset. This involves using an appropriate vehicle, monitoring temperature, defining stop points, and coordinating between the carrier, logistics operator, customs broker, and recipient.
In transportation operations, visibility and responsiveness are essential for handling traffic congestion, route changes, or other contingencies without compromising the cargo’s thermal integrity, according to Adair Reys, Director of Transportation at Emergent Cold LatAm.
In addition, it’s worth working with partners who are familiar with the procedures of the countries involved. Regional experience reduces the need for improvisation. And in this type of operation, predictability is valuable.
Streamline International Food Transportation With Emergent Cold
As you’ve seen, customs clearance is a key component of international trade, offering efficiency, security, and cost savings in the transport of goods.
For the food sector, its importance is even greater, as it ensures that perishable products move efficiently between different countries and markets.
In Latin America, where food exports and imports play a strategic role, this process is essential for integrating logistics chains and expanding business opportunities.
With regional expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Emergent Cold ensures that your food reaches its destination with quality, safety, and on time. The company operates in 11 Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.
Our network connects metropolitan centers and strategic ports, offering storage and transportation services.
This regional reach is especially relevant for companies that transport food between different markets. Each border imposes its own requirements. Each stage must coordinate with the next.
With customs planning, traceability, consistent documentation, and an adequate cold chain infrastructure, the international transit of food becomes more predictable and secure, ensuring on-time delivery and reducing risks throughout the entire operation.
FAQ
Which Companies Can Use The Customs Transit Regime?
Importers, exporters, carriers, logistics operators, and other foreign trade stakeholders can use the regime, provided they meet the legal requirements of the country where the operation takes place. Authorization, guarantees, and responsibilities vary depending on the type of transit and the jurisdiction.
How Long Can a Customs Transit Operation Last?
The timeframe depends on the country, the type of customs procedure, the distance, the authorized route, and the characteristics of the cargo. The company must comply with the timeframe established by the customs authority and report any incidents in accordance with local procedures. For perishable foods, this planning must also take into account the maximum transit time and temperature conditions.
What Is the Difference Between Customs Transit and Regular International Transport?
In customs transit, the goods remain under the control of the customs authority while being moved between authorized points. This involves specific procedures, documentation, monitoring, and the closure of the customs procedure. In general international transportation, the operation follows applicable commercial, tax, and transportation rules but does not necessarily use the customs transit procedure.
How Does the Customs Transit Declaration (DTA) Work?
The Customs Transit Declaration (DTA) records and formalizes the movement of goods under customs control between authorized locations. In Brazil, the party responsible for the operation submits information regarding the cargo, origin, destination, and mode of transport to the customs authority. After review and any necessary inspection, the cargo remains under customs control until it reaches its destination, where the documents and goods are verified and the transit procedure is closed.
