Customs services are essential to any import–export journey. However, small and new businesses often struggle with complex procedures and constantly changing regulations. Understanding this, PTN Logistics provides professional, end-to-end customs brokerage that is reliable and compliant—so you can grow with confidence in global trade.
What are customs services?
Customs brokerage is an indispensable part of the import-export supply chain. It is the official process of declaring all required information about your goods, transportation methods, and other related documents to the customs authorities. This critical step ensures your cargo can be legally cleared for export from or import into a country.
This process goes far beyond simple paperwork. It involves ensuring strict legal compliance, managing tax risks, and upholding national security protocols.
The role of customs brokerage in your supply chain
A professional customs service is a critical link between your business and government regulatory agencies. Our expert services include policy consultation, document verification, declaration preparation, troubleshooting any issues during inspection, and providing full support with taxes, fees, and post-clearance matters.
By ensuring timely customs clearance, we help you avoid costly delays and backlogs at ports and warehouses. This directly minimizes storage fees and optimizes your business’s cash flow.
Furthermore, partnering with a reputable customs broker significantly mitigates legal risks, such as administrative fines, cargo seizure, or clearance denial that can arise from incorrect or incomplete declarations.
Explore our end-to-end transport services to optimize cost and shorten your logistics journey.
Which businesses need customs services?
Essentially, any business involved in importing or exporting goods needs professional customs support. Whether you’re a large corporation or a small startup, understanding and adhering to customs regulations is the key to moving your goods swiftly and avoiding unnecessary costs.
Here are a few indicators that your business would greatly benefit from our services:
✅ You’re new to Import/Export or lack in-house expertise: If you’re just entering the import-export field or don’t have an experienced team, navigating customs procedures can lead to errors, delays, and penalties. Our service ensures you get it right from the very beginning.
✅ You’re an SME without a dedicated customs department: For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), building and maintaining an in-house customs department is often costly and inefficient. Outsourcing to us provides access to a team of dedicated professionals without the significant investment in infrastructure and personnel.
✅ You need fast, cost-effective clearance: In business, time is money. A professional customs broker can significantly shorten clearance times, preventing your goods from getting stuck at ports or warehouses and saving you money on storage and transportation.
✅ You want to streamline procedures and resolve issues efficiently: The customs process can be complex, and unforeseen problems often arise. Our experienced team knows how to navigate administrative hurdles and resolve any emerging issues effectively, keeping your shipments on track.
✅ You handle specialized cargo: The customs process is far more complex for specific goods like frozen foods, medical equipment, hazardous materials, or items requiring special import/export licenses. We have the in-depth knowledge and experience to handle these specialized shipments, ensuring full compliance with all necessary regulations and standards.
Discover our full-spectrum import–export solutions from A–Z at PTN Logistics.
What’s included in PTN Logistics’ comprehensive customs service?
Our all-in-one customs brokerage service is designed to handle virtually every customs-related need your business may have. We provide comprehensive support, including:
- Preparing and transmitting electronic customs declarations for all import and export shipments.
- Managing customs clearance for both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo.
- Securing all common types of Certificates of Origin, such as Form B, D, E, VK, VJ, AI, REX, CPTTP, and AANZ, to help you benefit from preferential tariffs.
- Handling customs clearance for various import/export regimes, including commercial (for-trade), non-commercial (non-trade), processing, manufacturing for export, and temporary import for re-export.
- Arranging and completing all necessary specialized inspections for regulated goods. This includes services like fumigation, phytosanitary and veterinary quarantine, food safety checks, import permit applications, conformity inspections, and chemical declarations.
- Processing applications for the refund of import duties.
- Making necessary adjustments and additions to customs declarations after goods have been cleared.
- Managing product declarations for food and cosmetics, handling chemical declarations, and applying for import permits for industrial precursors.
Our service covers every aspect of the customs process from start to finish. This comprehensive approach allows you to minimize complex steps, save valuable time, and reduce operational costs.
Our customs services cover every need, eliminating red tape to save you time and cost.
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What’s in a basic customs dossier?
Preparing a complete and accurate set of documents is the key to ensuring your goods are cleared quickly and smoothly. To facilitate a seamless customs process, you should have the following documents ready:
📝 Sales Contract: Shows the agreement, Incoterms, price, delivery time, etc.
📝 Customs Declaration: The backbone document—quantities, values, HS codes—enabling authorities to apply the right duties and inspection levels.
📝 Commercial Invoice: Confirms the actual transaction value and is the basis for duty/tax calculation.
📝 Packing List: Details the packing method, number of packages, weight, and dimensions—crucial for physical inspections.
📝 Bill of Lading / Air Waybill: Issued by the carrier; evidences carriage and facilitates delivery/receipt.
📝 Certificate of Origin: Verifies origin; enables preferential tariffs under FTAs where applicable.
📝 Special permits/inspections (if applicable): Import licenses, quarantine, quality inspection, food safety, etc.
Careful preparation of these documents not only helps you avoid unnecessary complications but also significantly accelerates the clearance process, ensuring your goods reach their destination as efficiently as possible.
Benefits of PTN Logistics’ end-to-end customs service
The complexity of customs procedures, along with constantly changing legal regulations, requires businesses to have dedicated and professional support. With over 10 years of experience in customs procedures, PTN Logistics’ comprehensive customs services offer customers a wide range of outstanding benefits, including:
- A clearance success rate of over 99%, saving up to 30% of time and minimizing the risk of goods being held or fined due to procedural errors
- Minimizing additional costs thanks to a team of experts deeply knowledgeable in tax policies, HS codes, preferential tariffs, and the latest customs regulations.
- A team of more than 100 certified customs declarers, experienced and flexible in handling all types of complex goods, from frozen and fresh food, forestry products, to hazardous items such as lithium batteries, chemicals, and flammable substances.
- Extensive experience in handling medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, used machinery, automobiles, motorcycles, and electronic components.
- On-site staff with extensive experience at border gates, seaports, and international airports, ready to handle any arising situation.
- 24/7 customer support, continuous updates on shipment progress, and answers to all inquiries to help businesses stay proactive in managing their goods.
- A nationwide declaration network, serving major seaports, airports, ICDs, export processing zones, and industrial parks.
- Cost optimization and reduced clearance time through standardized procedures combined with modern technology for document management and delivery.
- End-to-end services, from dedicated consultation, document preparation, and customs declaration to door-to-door delivery, reducing the burden of complex procedures for businesses.
- A strong network of air and sea transport partners, including leading global carriers such as Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, Pacific International Lines (PIL), Ocean Network Express (ONE), CMA CGM, Air China, Vietnam Airlines, Air France, EVA Air, and Qatar Airways.
Thanks to sustainable cooperation with top transport partners, PTN Logistics ensures diverse, fast, and high-quality transportation services at the most competitive costs.
All customers who have used our customs services have expressed satisfaction, with a positive feedback rate of 99%, demonstrating PTN Logistics’ credibility and outstanding service quality.
PTN Logistics’ 6-step professional customs process
A professional customs process is the key to successful and timely cargo clearance. At PTN Logistics, every stage is systematically standardized, transparent, and in strict compliance with all legal regulations.
Our customs declaration service is carried out through these six essential steps:
Step 1: Step 1: Document reception & In-depth consultation
As soon as you contact us, our specialists gather all necessary information about your shipment: type of goods, origin, import/export purpose, etc. We then assess your needs and advise on the appropriate declaration type (e.g., import, export, temporary import/re-export, or transit).
We also provide detailed guidance on preparing all required documents in accordance with current laws. For goods requiring specialized inspections, import permits, or product registration, we offer detailed consultation to assist you.
Step 2: Document verification & Declaration preparation
Our customs team meticulously reviews all your documents, including the sales contract, commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin (C/O), and any relevant permits. This ensures the entire document set is valid and error-free, preventing potential inspections and penalties.
The declaration is then prepared and electronically submitted through the VNACCS/VCIS system on time to maintain the clearance schedule.
Step 3: Clearance lane monitoring & Coordination
Based on feedback from the customs system, we will determine the clearance channel for your shipment throughout the entire customs service process:
- Green channel: Fast clearance with no physical inspection of goods.
- Yellow channel: Document review; additional documents may need to be prepared if required.
- Red channel: Physical inspection of goods; we coordinate closely with customs and the customer to handle the situation promptly.
We always proactively contact customers to provide timely updates on the clearance channel status and any arising requirements. At the same time, we assist in preparing and supplementing documents, providing explanations, and liaising directly with relevant authorities such as customs and specialized inspection agencies to optimize clearance time.
Step 4: Accurate tax calculation & payment
Our experts will review and advise on the correct import/export duties, VAT, and other related fees based on current regulations.
We facilitate prompt and accurate tax payment on your behalf, helping you avoid penalties for late or incorrect payments
Step 5: Customs clearance & Cargo delivery
With our experienced on-site operations team, PTN Logistics handles the final clearance procedures quickly and professionally.
We coordinate with customs, carriers, and warehouses to ensure your goods are delivered to the right place, on schedule.
You will receive continuous updates on the delivery progress, allowing you to plan your business activities with confidence.
Step 6: Post-clearance support
Our service doesn’t end once your goods are cleared. We continue to support you with any post-clearance issues, such as handling complaints, processing tax refunds, or managing supplementary inspections. We also actively seek your feedback to continuously improve our services.
Outsourcing your customs procedures to a trusted partner saves your business time, effort, and money while minimizing risks. Let PTN Logistics be your partner, helping you navigate every challenge and optimize your import-export operations.
Read more of our expert coverage in the Customs Services section curated by PTN.
Outsourcing customs procedures to a trusted partner saves time, effort, and cost – while reducing errors. Our experienced experts ensure accurate, compliant filings and safe, timely clearance. Let PTN Logistics help you overcome challenges and optimize your import–export operations.
Contact us today for free consultation and the best-fit solution for your business!
Contact Information
- Hotline: 1900 2197 – 0935 333 999
- Email: nam.nguyen@ptnlogistics.com
