How does a freight forwarder handle customs clearance for international shipments?

A freight forwarder coordinates customs clearance either through its own in-house customs team or by subcontracting to a licensed customs broker. At export, the freight forwarder or broker files the export declaration with the customs authority of the origin country — supplying the commercial invoice, packing list, HS codes, and declared cargo value. At import, the equivalent declaration is filed at the destination country before the goods are released. For intra-EU road freight from Belgium, no customs declarations are required under EU single market rules — the freight forwarder's customs function does not apply to these consignments.