Goods crossing the country's border (both import and export) should be checked. Customs examination determines the quality, safety of use and compliance with the standards of imported (exported) products accepted in the country. Experts who have the necessary knowledge both in the customs authorities themselves and in other authorized organizations are engaged in verification.
Merchandising and expertise in customs are interconnected. Any of the companies working for export will not be able to carry out export transactions without expert opinions. A document confirming the examination will also be required for cargo insurance companies. Customs examination prevents attempts to "release" low-quality goods to the markets.
In addition to checking the quality of the goods, identification, conformity of consumer goods (product nomenclature), chemical composition, cost estimation (average), determination of the presence of prohibited (harmful or narcotic) components, another study is conducted to determine the authenticity of the documents provided. An expert studies stamps, signatures, text, signs, marks; restores the original form of the document (if necessary); checks compliance of protective signs; sequence of filling; clarifies the method of manufacturing the document (details); verifies signatures on the document with the originals.
The official, being the authorized customs body, must make a decision on such an examination (required in writing), which indicates the grounds for the examination, the initials of the expert, the name of the organization, a list of documents and the time frame for the conclusion to be given.
If there is insufficient information, improper execution of relevant documentation, packaging safety violations, lack of a base (material and technical) or special conditions, the examination may be refused. The refusal must be made in writing, with a clear indication of specific reasons.
If the decision on the appointment of the examination is made, the declarant (or authorized person) must receive a notification within 24 hours. Terms of behavior - 20 days. The costs of the examination should be reimbursed by the state (from the state budget).
Customs examination is carried out within 20 days. The head of the customs examination has the right to extend these periods (taking into account the storage periods of the examined goods), writing in writing the reasons for the extension.
Customs examination may be:
- merchandising, forensic, identification, technological, materials science;
- integrated, sole, commission (according to the number of experts involved);
- primary, secondary, repeated.
Sole examination is carried out by only one expert, commission - by experts of one specialty, complex - by experts of different specialties and areas (in conclusion should be signed by all who conducted the examination (separately for each thematic part).
At the initial examination, a general inspection of the product, its samples is carried out, samples are taken. Additional appoint with new information, or changed circumstances. In case of disagreement with the conclusion of the declarant (or customs authority), a repeated examination should be appointed (carried out by a commission of at least two experts). The customs expert who has given a conclusion earlier should not take part in the repeated examination.
The longest and most difficult is the customs examination of goods marked "food". Here, the certificates accompanying the products practically do not matter. Of course, during the examination they are taken into account, but the so-called rechecking is carried out: documents are examined, the quality of imported (exported) products is determined. Indicators are checked against the provided certificates. Next comes the turn of the epidemic control, and the sanitary and epidemiological surveillance conducts its inspection, and the customs - its own. And only after reconciliation of indicators can we talk about making a “verdict”.
Customs examination is a guarantee that the goods delivered to our markets are of really high quality and comply with GOSTs. It is better not to purchase goods for which the seller cannot provide a certificate.