A Customs Declaration in CargoWise can be done two ways:
- As a stand-alone clearance, where you (the forwarder or broker) are not managing the underlying shipment, or
- Through a linked file, if the shipment is being created and managed within your CargoWise system.
In this article, we’ll go over the different segments of the declaration page.
Keep in mind:
- If you’re filing a stand-alone declaration that isn’t linked to a shipment, much of the data will need to be entered manually.
- The amount of manual entry required depends heavily on the master data and relationships you’ve already set up.
👉 As a reminder, Article 1 in this series covered how to set up related parties, HTS codes, and other master data elements that can drastically reduce the amount of manual keying you’ll need here.
1. Declaration Main Page
When you first open a Customs Declaration, you’ll notice there are multiple tabs in the entry.
Starting with the Declaration Main page:
- At the top, you’ll see the Main Supplier and Transport details (note: the exact placement depends on whether your organization has customized the grid layout).
- Below that, you’ll find the Importer information, Shipment details, and Shipment type.
⚡ Dynamic Behavior: Depending on the Shipment Type you select, the Declaration page will dynamically adjust to customize the field options available. This ensures the correct declaration format is created—whether you’re filing a consumption entry, warehouse entry, informal entry, or another type.
💡 Purpose: This main page sets the framework for your declaration—who is importing, how the cargo is moving, and what type of entry you’re filing. Accuracy here drives how the rest of the declaration is processed and validated.
2. Parties to the Transaction
Next, you’ll connect the organizations involved.
- Importer of Record: EIN/IRS number and bond details must match CBP records.
- Consignee: Party receiving the goods.
- Broker / Filer: Your company, responsible for the declaration.
💡 Purpose: Customs uses these fields to confirm the entry is filed by an authorized filer, on behalf of a valid importer.
3. Tariff Lines (The Core of the Entry)
This is where the heavy lifting happens.
- HTS Code: Drives duties, taxes, and admissibility.
- Product Description: Must match commercial invoice and CBP requirements.
- Country of Origin: Used to validate duties and preferential treatment under FTAs.
- Unit of Measure (UOM): Must match tariff rules (kg, liters, pieces, etc.).
- Value: Extended price, tied back to commercial invoice.
💡 Purpose: Tariff lines are the backbone of the declaration. Each line item is validated by CBP for accuracy against tariff schedules, valuation rules, and admissibility requirements.
4. Totals & Summaries
Once tariff lines are built, CargoWise rolls them up into totals.
- Entered Value → Sum of all line values.
- Duty & Taxes → Auto-calculated using the HTS and valuation data.
- Fees (MPF, HMF, etc.): Applied automatically where applicable.
💡 Purpose: These totals must match what’s on the commercial invoice and what CBP expects for duty/tax collection. Any mismatch can trigger a rejection.
5. Supporting Documents & Data
Most entries require attachments or references:
- Invoice Number & Packing List Reference
- Licenses, Permits, or Certificates (if applicable)
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill numbers
💡 Purpose: These details tie the declaration back to the physical shipment and supporting compliance documents.
CargoWise Validations: Your Built-in Safety Net
One of CargoWise’s biggest advantages is the validations it runs automatically as you build the entry.
- HTS Validation: Checks if the code is valid and current.
- UOM Validation: Flags mismatches between HTS requirements and your entry data.
- Value Consistency: Ensures tariff line totals roll up correctly.
- Mandatory Fields: Prevents submission if key importer, entry type, or shipment details are missing.
💡 These validations are designed to catch common errors before you transmit to CBP, saving you time, penalties, and headaches.
The Takeaway
The Customs Declaration screen in CargoWise is more than a form—it’s a structured workflow that pulls in your master data, validates it, and prepares it for CBP.
When you understand the purpose of each section, you spend less time second-guessing and more time ensuring compliance.
So the next time you’re building a declaration, think of it less as “filling in boxes” and more as telling CBP the full story of your shipment—clearly, consistently, and compliantly.
✨ At ALL2S Consulting LLC, we guide teams through building stronger customs workflows in CargoWise—helping brokers and importers save time, reduce errors, and stay compliant.
📌 Coming Next (Article 3): We’ll dive deeper into Tariff Classification in CargoWise—how to manage HTS codes effectively and avoid costly misclassifications.
ALL2S CONSULTING LLC 