What is the System for Release of Goods Prior to Acceptance of Import Declaration? Released

Overview of the Pre-Accepted Release System

Generally, during import clearance, goods can only be released from a bonded area after the import declaration is filed, necessary inspections are completed, and customs duties and taxes are fully paid.

However, there is an exception known as the Release Prior to Acceptance of Import Declaration. This system allows importers to withdraw goods before the final acceptance of the import declaration and tax payment, provided the goods present no specific issues for import clearance and fall under specific criteria. To utilize this, the importer must provide collateral equivalent to the customs duties and obtain approval from the Head of the Customs Office.

essentially, Customs grants permission to release the cargo early by securing collateral as a guarantee for future tax payment.

Eligible Circumstances for Early Release

This system is not available for all shipments but is restricted to specific scenarios:

• 1. Split Shipments of Completed Goods:
  This applies when a single finished product (e.g., large machinery) is too large or heavy to be shipped on a single vessel, or requires assembly after arriving in parts from various locations. Although shipped separately, the goods must possess the characteristics of the finished product at the time of initial export.
  Conditions for recognizing split shipments include:
  • The declaration must use the HS Code of the finished product.
  • Goods must be imported from the same exporter under a single contract.
  • The contract must clearly specify the schedule for the divided transport.
• 2. Government Procurement Stock:
  Goods stockpiled by the Public Procurement Service where the final end-user agency or company has not yet been determined.
• 3. Delayed Tax Assessment:
  Cases where the pre-assessment process by Customs to determine the tax amount takes a significant amount of time (e.g., official assessment goods).
• 4. Delayed Classification or Rate Determination:
  Instances where it takes considerable time to determine the precise nature of the goods, their HS Code classification, or the applicable tariff rate.
• 5. Delayed Submission of Certificate of Origin:
  If an importer cannot prepare a Certificate of Origin at the time of import declaration to claim lower tariffs under an FTA (Free Trade Agreement). In this case, the importer provides collateral, releases the goods, and submits the certificate later to apply the preferential rate.
• 6. Extended FTA Verification:
  When the verification process regarding the origin of goods or applicable FTA tariff rates is prolonged.

Conclusion and Strategic Use

The core principle is that this option is available only for goods deemed problem-free for clearance by Customs, and it strictly requires the provision of collateral equivalent to the liable duties. This collateral serves as a promise to pay the taxes once the administrative processes are finalized.

Utilizing this system allows importers to secure urgent goods without waiting for the completion of all clearance procedures. However, since eligibility is strictly limited, it is crucial to verify if your specific situation qualifies and to consult with a customs broker or the customs office before proceeding.