Mirror Customs Clearances: End-to-end solution Cross-border customs optimisation between the EU and UK, Switzerland and Norway

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Mirror clearance

At Customs Support Group (CSG), we offer an advanced solution to simplify your cross-border customs processes: mirror customs clearance. This exclusive end-to-end procedure allows goods to be cleared in one country based on the customs declaration and procedures of another, helping businesses expedite cross-border trade while ensuring compliance with both jurisdictions.

Thanks to our extensive footprint, centralised network, and data consolidation, we standardise documents and digitise data, providing a streamlined solution that eliminates the need for multiple customs interactions. With mirror clearance, businesses only need to engage once instead of twice, ensuring improved accuracy, speed, and security. Our seamless integration between countries optimises your operations, so you can focus on what matters most.

What We Mean by "Mirror Customs Clearance"

Every customs movement between territories involves both an export and an import declaration. procedure. Typically, two customs declarations are required—one for the export and one for the import—each submitted by an agent in the respective countries. This dual process can lead to increased complexity and potential delays.

CSG simplifies this process by providing a unified approach with a single point of contact for customs clearances across the EU, UK, Switzerland (CH), and Norway (NO). Our mirror customs clearance system ensures that data is efficiently handled through one streamlined process.

Through this service, we submit the export declaration, automatically transfer the necessary information to the destination country, adapt it for that country's import clearance process, and prepare the declaration for review by our customs specialists. 

By combining artificial and real intelligence, we enhance accuracy and efficiency whilst maintaining quality assurance through human expertise. Whilst the AI system continually learns and adapts, the final check by our customs specialists ensures that your declaration has an expert pair of eyes on it before submission.

Streamlining the Process with Full Digital Integration

Mirror customs clearances significantly reduce the risk of errors and boost the efficiency of the customs process. However, these benefits are just the beginning.

Working closely with our clients and IT specialists, we have developed an advanced digital solution that allows us to generate clearance data directly from a client's ERP system. This digital integration supports a seamless data flow, minimising the risk of delays or inaccuracies at any stage of the customs clearance process.

European Manager Customs Control & Delivery Miguel Navarro, explains:

“The data which we receive from the client for a customs clearance is often the first risk of delay, inaccuracy, or omission. By getting their systems to feed us automatic data, we can streamline this process and support better performance throughout the entire process.

Once a client’s file is received by our data management solution, it automatically transmitted to local customs systems at origin and destination. This ensures that no time is wasted and also helps to prevent human error.

We have used this solution to enhance the efficiency across many industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and transport, by simplifying  complex operations and supporting cross-border KPIs with automation.

Of course, there is a setup period which requires an upfront investment of time from IT and operations teams on both sides, but once implemented the long-term efficiency pays it back over and over.”


Key Features and Benefits of Mirror Clearance

  1. Unified Data Submission
    Mirror customs clearance enables the submission of a single, comprehensive dataset that contains all necessary information required by both EU and non-EU customs authorities. This reduces administrative burdens and ensures compliance with all relevant customs regulations.
  2. Dual Processing
      Upon submission, the data is simultaneously processed by the export customs system and sent to our entity at destination to automatically prepare the import declaration. Once manifested, the information can be quickly verified and processed without the need to enter the full dataset again manually.
  3. Efficiency and Speed
    By eliminating the need for duplicate entry, mirror customs clearance accelerates the entire customs process, minimising delays at borders and facilitating faster transit of goods. This contributes to an overall improvement in supply chain efficiency.
  4. Cost Savings
    The process reduces administrative costs by eliminating multiple data entries and paperwork. This simplification also leads to decreased compliance costs, as the likelihood of errors and associated penalties is significantly lowered.
  5. Improved Accuracy and Compliance
    With a single data set, both customs authorities receive identical information, ensuring that there are no discrepancies . This approach enhances data integrity, helping you stay compliant with both EU and non-EU regulations.
  6. Simplified Trade Processes
    Mirror clearance allows you to manage your customs obligations through a single platform, streamlining the entire trade process and improving communication with customs authorities.

Successful Implementation of Mirror Clearance

Mirror customs clearance requires certain considerations for successful implementation, including regulatory alignment, robust technological infrastructure, and stakeholder education. Both the EU and non-EU countries must agree on data standards and regulatory requirements to ensure compatibility. Bilateral agreements are often necessary to formalise the mirror clearance process.

Additionally, secure and reliable IT systems are critical for data exchange and processing. Cybersecurity measures must be in place to protect sensitive trade information during transmission and storage. Businesses and customs officials must also be trained on the new processes and systems to ensure smooth adoption and maintain the integrity of the clearance process.

Explore the advantages of mirror customs clearance for your business.

Mirror customs clearance represents a significant step forward in international trade between the EU and non-EU countries. By streamlining your customs processes through a single data submission, you can benefit from enhanced efficiency, cost savings, improved compliance, and greater transparency.

At CSG, we are dedicated to helping our clients navigate the complexities of cross-border trade while reducing risks and improving performance. With our extensive footprint, centralized network, and data consolidation, we can optimize your customs processes, streamline your supply chain, and reduce compliance costs. Contact us today to discover how we can help enhance your business operations.