Customs release note

What is the Customs release note? Definition

The Customs release note, also known as release note, is the authorisation to remove goods issued by the customs office after the declaration has been processed and, where applicable, after customs controls.

Obtaining a customs release note means that customs authorises the removal of the declared goods. The release note is therefore an essential step in the customs clearance process, allowing the declarant or operator to dispose of the goods in accordance with the declared customs procedureA customs procedure is the set of administrative steps, formalities, and obligations imposed by the customs authority fo… [+].

The release note is assigned by the customs system when the conditions required for release are met. Depending on the type of declaration and the procedure used, it may be issued immediately or after the completion of certain operations or controls.

The customs release note does not necessarily mean that all customs operations are definitively closed. In the context of simplified declarations or two-stage procedures, a supplementary declaration may still need to be submitted or processed after the release document has been granted.

Context of use

The release note can be issued as part of various customs procedures, including:

• Import declarations;
• Export declarations;
• Transit declarations;
• Goods subject to a special procedure, when the conditions for granting release are met.

Practical issues

Managing the Customs release note involves significant administrative and operational issues:

• Conditions for issue: the release for removal is granted after processing the declaration and, where applicable, carrying out the required customs controls.
• Payment of duties and taxes: payment of the duties and taxes due must be made according to the methods and deadlines provided for by the regulations. It is not necessarily a prerequisite for the issue of the release.
• Exceeding deadlines: if the declaration requires additional information or is subject to a control, the issue of the release for removal may be delayed, which can extend the time taken to remove the goods.
• Progress monitoring: the declarant must monitor the status of their declaration to identify, in particular, when the release is obtained and any actions remaining to be carried out.
• Time-limited physical removal: although the BAE authorises the removal of goods, storage times at the customs clearance point may be limited and result in charges beyond the scheduled period.
• Declarant’s responsibility: the declarant is responsible for the accuracy and compliance of the information provided in the declaration as well as for meeting the obligations related to the customs procedure.

How CUSTOMS via conex™ simplifies obtaining the customs release note

CUSTOMS via conex™ automates the customs clearance process up to the release note:

• Generation of compliant and complete declarations
• Secure transmission to French customs
• Real-time monitoring of declaration status
• Alerts when switching to release status
• Archiving and traceability of declarations and exchanges

With CUSTOMS via conex™, your declarations reach the release status quickly. You access your goods without delay; we optimise your customs clearance.

Associated terms

• Customs declaration
• Customs clearance
• Customs duties and taxes
• Customs procedure
• Release