International trade in perishable foods requires not only quality in production, but also efficiency in the transport. Among the stages that make this process faster and safer is customs transit, a regime that is essential in the movement of cargos in customs control.
In this article, you will understand what customs transit is, how it works in practice, its modes, advantages and importance for the food sector.
What is customs transit and what is its function?
Customs transit is a regime which enables the transport of perishable foods from one point to another, within a single country or between different countries, under the supervision of the customs authorities.
In practice, this means that the cargo can pass through ports, airports and borders without having to be brought in country immediately. For the food sector, customs transit is even more important, as the perishable products need speed and careful control during the transport.
How does customs transport work in practice?
The exporter or importer makes a customs transit declaration, informing details of the goods, the itinerary and the final destination. In many cases, financial guarantees or insurance are necessary to ensure payment of duties if anything unplanned happens.
The customs authorities then authorize the movement, monitoring the cargo until it reaches its destination. This process guarantees that the products circulate legally, safely and within the time periods established.
Modes of the customs transit regime
Furthermore, customs transport can take on different forms according to the type of operation and the route of the cargo. Among the modes, the main ones are:
- Customs transit at entry — when goods arrive at a country through a port or airport and have to follow on to other customs point for bringing into the country.
- National customs transit — occurs within a territory, allowing the transport between different customs zones, such as ports, processing zones or deposits.
- Customs transit passage — used when the cargo crosses a country to reach an international destination.
- International transit: allows the displacement of goods between signatory countries to customs cooperation agreements.
Principal advantages of the customs transit regime
The use of customs transit offers essential benefits to the foods sector, such as:
- Speed in the logistics processes, in other words, reduced the time the cargo remains at borders and ports.
- Reduction of costs, avoiding payment of duties at intermediary places.
- Safety of the operations, thanks to the constant monitoring by the authorities.
- Standardization of procedures, which facilitates the integration between different countries and customs zones.
- Speed in supply, as foods arrive quicker to end consumers.
- Fewer losses from perishability, as there is the possibility of preserving the quality and reduced waste during transport.
- Greater competitivity: strengthens exporters and importers in the international market.
Regulations and essential documents
Although each country adopts specific procedures, in general customs transit depends on three pillars:
- Declarations — inform details of the cargo, such as type of product, weight, value and destination.
- Authorizations — issued by the customs authorities allowing the cargo to continue its journey.
- Guarantees — serve to ensure that the duties will be paid if there is breach of the rules.
These elements form the basis of trust necessary for the goods to transit in different territories without compromising fiscal collection, whilst at the same time facilitating the flow of international trade.
Challenges and best practices to avoid problems
Delays may occur due to errors in documents, lack of suitable guarantees or failure in communication between logistics operators and authorities. Financial penalties and retention of goods are real risks for companies not following the rules correctly.
To avoid these problems, some good practices are recommended:
- Preparing the documentation beforehand;
- Using digital tracking systems;
- Having specialized logistics partners;
- Maintaining open channels of communication with the customs authorities.
Count on our solutions to facilitate trade in foods in Latin America
Customs transit, as we have seen, is key in international trade, by offering speed, safety and reduction of costs in the transport of goods. For the food sector, its importance is even greater, as it guarantees that perishable products circulate efficiently between different countries and markets.
In Latin America, where the import and export of food plays a strategic role, this regime is fundamental to integrating logistics chains and expanding business opportunities.
Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that we are partners with companies facing international logistics challenges, and we offer complete solutions in temperature–controlled warehousing and transport. With regional expertise and leading-edge infrastructure, we guarantee that your foods arrive at their destination with quality, safety and on time.
