You have heard a lot about clearing and forwarding; but do you know what this is all about. Most people do not know about this integral sector that is the cornerstone of international shipping and shipment of cargoes.
Clearing and forwarding is the heartbeat of importation, exportation and transshipment of cargoes from one country to another. You can barely move, receive or send a cargo without this all-time important process.
The procedure of making any declarations to customs authorities either on the outgoing border or the incoming one and settling accounts for any charges levied by customs is the process known as “clearing and forwarding”.
Clearing and forwarding provide a service, on behalf of an importer or exporter, through the handling of complex customs procedures. This is an international practice, as it would be cumbersome for traders themselves to handle their goods and flood the port.
Clearing and forwarding service is provided through a clearing and forwarding agent who is a licensed person or company that submits declarations to Customs on behalf of the importers and exporters.
Clearing and forwarding agents facilitate the Customs process in declaring goods entering and leaving the country, paying duty on behalf of the importer, declaration of the goods using the correct harmonized tariff codes to describe goods and filling customs forms and documentation.
Handing of goods at the ports requires a lot of paperwork and logistics that can be very complex and so importers and exporters contract a specialist like a clearing agent to handle and ship goods. An agent is a very crucial partner in the shipping industry.
In Kenya, clearing and forwarding agents are licensed solely by Kenya Revenue Authority and they are members of Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) which is the sole representative of all clearing, forwarding and warehousing companies in Kenya.
Clearing and forwarding agents like Gemini Global Express, one of the leading clearing and forwarding companies in Kenya, provide a complete range of customs and clearing procedures to diversified clients in Kenya.
Next time when you are planning to import into Kenya, get a licensed clearing and forward agent to handle your goods with ease and satisfaction. It is an industry that is based on trust and efficiency and so you must choose wisely.
