The first customs warehouse originated in France in the middle of the seventeenth century. It was a special room, where certain goods and supplies were stored. It was created by the order of the French king.
A customs warehouse is a regime in which imported goods are kept under control without levying any duties. Economic measures do not apply to cargo. The goods that will be exported are under customs control with the provision of a number of benefits, which are stipulated by law. These include: refund of the amount paid, exemption from taxes and others.
The customs warehouse is a reserve of goods, the content of which does not bring any losses to the state. Its use can be especially important in the period of any significant shocks, including possible crop failures, embargoes, economic crises and similar phenomena.
In fact, the goods placed in such a warehouse are outside the national territory. This is one of the reasons why they are not taxed in this case. Fees are charged only on the fact of concluding the transaction. Acceptance of the goods in the customs warehouse can facilitate foreign trade operations, since it gives the choice: to sell it on the national market or to move abroad. Any cargo can fall under this regime, except for that which is prohibited by law for importation or exportation. The last category includes: weapons, sources of atomic radiation, narcotic or psychotropic drugs, nuclear materials. To place goods in the customs warehouse, you need to produce a cargo declaration, accompanying and other documents. Products imported from abroad of an animal or plant origin require phytosanitary and veterinary control.
The customs warehouse regime is advantageous in that it allows you to purchase goods at the time when the offer is the most profitable, and sell when the demand for them on the foreign market is optimal. Also, when importing, it will help to avoid paying the entire amount of taxes. Therefore, this regime can be very profitable for both importers and exporters. To use it, you must have a special license.
The customs warehouse can be private or public, depending on the type of the founder. The first kind is created by some enterprises or organizations that do not have the status of a legal entity. A public repository opens the corresponding regional administration.
In terms of access, customs warehouses can be open (available for use by any citizen) or closed (that is, intended only for storing goods of certain persons).
The total period of stay of goods in this mode can not be less than one year and more than three years. The exact duration of storage of goods is determined only by agreement. It is drawn up between a person who is interested in the content of goods in this mode and the relevant body. The services of the customs warehouse are mainly concluded in the design and storage of goods. The owner-body bears full responsibility for the loss, damage or shortage of the accepted cargo.