Consult the detailed program, dates and registration details on our Official catalogue
Basic customs training
Customs training: master customs fundamentals to secure your imports and exports
Customs regulations are changing rapidly. Between Union Customs Codefree trade agreements, procedures DELTA and intensification of controls, importing and exporting companies are exposed to increasing risks.
An error in tariff classification, value for duty or origin may result in tax adjustments, financial penalties, and Logistics blockages.
Our training in customs fundamentals Gives you the keys in one day to understand the regulatory framework, master the three pillars of the customs declaration, identify customs procedures adapted to your flows and make your documentation reliable. No prerequisite: training is accessible to all profiles involved in international exchanges.
Practical information
Next date
02/06/2026
Type of training
Présentiel
Duration of training
7 a.m. (1 day)
Place of training
27 chemin de Montollier 38500 VIEWON and/or Paris
Formation created on 23/02/26.
650 € HT
Why is customs training essential in 2026?
Reducing the risk of customs adjustment
An error in tariff classification, value for duty or origin of goods may result in tax adjustments, financial penalties and enhanced customs controls.
Controlling customs clearance mechanisms
Understanding the operation of customs declarations, the EU Customs Code and DELTA procedures helps to avoid logistical blockages and improve your customs compliance.
Optimize your customs duties
A good knowledge of free trade agreements, customs procedures and rules of origin helps reduce your import and export costs.
Secure your import-export operations
Regulatory compliance protects your supply chain, reduces the risk of control and strengthens your company's credibility with customs authorities.
Developing strategic internal expertise
Forming your teams with customs fundamentals reduces your reliance on freight forwarders, improves control of Incoterms and enhances the performance of your international operations.
Objectives of training
Following this training in customs fundamentals, you will be able to:
- Understanding the general framework for international trade and the role of customs in import-export operations
- Identify the different customs clearance operations on imports and exports and the actors involved
- Understanding the customs journey of goods, from customs to free circulation
- Controlling 3 pillars of the customs declaration Tariff species (classification via the Harmonized System), origin of goods (preferential and non-preferential) and value for duty
- Identify main customs procedures (definitive and individual) and their economic impact on your operations
- Recognizing the essential customs documents, verify their consistency and anticipate points of vigilance
- Identify the levers for reducing customs risks and taxes linked to your international flows
Who is the basic customs training for?
This training on customs fundamentals is aimed at all professionals involved in import-export operations, regardless of their level of experience. No prerequisites are required.
- Trade managers and export teams
- ADV Managers, Export and Import Teams
- International Procurement and Supply Managers
- Export/import operators, point or regular
- Cross profiles and managers wishing to understand customs issues
- Staff requiring rapid upgrade on customs clearance fundamentals
Prerequisite None. Training lays the foundation and progresses towards practical cases.
Training programme
This one-day (7-hour) training covers all the essentials to understand and secure your customs clearance operations. The programme alternates theoretical contributions illustrated by concrete examples, explanatory diagrams, case studies and practical situations.
Understanding the regulatory environment for international trade
This first module presents the context: general presentation of key concepts of international trade, regulatory frameworks for trade in goods and essential customs terminology. The aim is to give all participants a common foundation, regardless of their starting level.
The journey of a customs goods: actors and key steps
Understanding the overall customs clearance scheme: how the customs crossing works, what are the actors involved (declarant, customs representative, customs administration) and what are the different customs clearance methods. This module allows you to visualize the entire journey of a commodity to both import and export.
The fundamentals of the customs declaration: the 3 pillars
It is the heart of formation. This module details the three elements that determine your duties, taxes and reporting compliance:
Tariff species : role and challenges of classification, method of classification via the Harmonised System, tools to search for the appropriate customs code, risks related to poor classification and good safety practices. Practical tariff classification exercise.
Origin of goods : distinction between preferential and non-preferential origin, functioning of trade agreements and rules of origin, methodology for determining origin, proof of origin to be provided, risks and security. Practical case of determination of origin.
Value for customs purposes : distinction between value for duty, statistical value and value VAT base, calculation and components (cost, transport, insurance), risks related to an unreported value and good practice. Practical case of calculating the value for duty.
Explore applicable customs procedures
This module presents the concept of customs procedure and its implications: definitive import and export arrangements, and main special arrangements (inward processing, customs warehouse, transit, etc.). The aim is to identify plans that can defer, reduce or suspend the payment of duties and taxes depending on your business.
Customs documentation: prepare and verify
The last module covers the documentation necessary for a customs clearance operation: essential trade and customs documents, documents related to origin and transport, points of vigilance and documentary consistency. The aim is to ensure that your file is complete and consistent before you enter customs.
Import-export: mastering the regulatory framework in 2026
The European and international customs framework requires importing and exporting companies to increasing control over their reporting obligations. The Union Customs Code (CDU), the annual updates of the Combined Nomenclature, the digitisation of procedures and the strengthening of border controls increase compliance requirements. Misclassification, poorly determined origin, or poorly calculated value for duty can result in tax adjustments, financial penalties, and logistical blockages with direct consequences for your business.
Any customs declaration shall be based on three fundamental pillars : the tariff type (the customs code assigned to the goods via the Harmonised System, which determines the applicable duties), the origin of the goods (preferential or non-preferential, which conditions access to duty reductions via trade agreements) and the value for customs (base of calculation of duties and taxes, integrating cost, transport and insurance). To master these three elements is to secure the whole of your chain declarative.
Beyond the three pillars, the knowledge of customs procedures (inward processing, customs warehouse, transit) makes it possible to optimise the tax treatment of your flows by differentiating, reducing or suspending the payment of duties and taxes. The reliability of customs documentation – commercial documents, proof of origin, transport documents – is also a critical factor: a documentary inconsistency is enough to trigger a customs control or blocking.
Our training in customs fundamentals covers all of these issues in one day: from general regulatory framework to practical cases of classification, origin determination and value for duty calculation. Led by Laurence Spriet, EU expert in customs and tax engineering, she addresses all profiles involved in international trade, without preconditions.
What distinguishes our training
Beyond the programme, our pedagogical approach and our specialised positioning make the difference for the
Professionals involved in international flows.
Fully dedicated training on customs issues
Unlike the generalist trainings combining transport, logistics and international trade, this session is exclusively devoted to customs clearance and import-export conformity. Each educational sequence focuses on customs regulations, reporting obligations and securing international flows.
Field-oriented pedagogy
The training alternates regulatory inputs and practical implementations: tariff code search, origin analysis, duty calculation and declaration verification. Participants are working on cases close to their operational reality so that they can immediately apply the gains in their company.
Concrete validation of achievements
A final evaluation measures the mastery of the concepts discussed. A certificate of success shall be issued to participants who have validated the essential skills, attesting to their ability to secure customs operations.
Affordable and financial pricing positioning
Proposed at 650 € HT for a day entirely dedicated to customs regulations, this training allows access to specialized expertise while controlling your budget. It is eligible for professional financing schemes (CPF, OPCO), facilitating investment in the rise of your teams.
They took our training
« Training tailored to your needs! »
« Two speakers who completely master the subject and who complement each other perfectly. They are interested in our activity to show us how it will be impacted by regulation. »
« We have taken several courses with ACTE International and have always been very satisfied with them. This is why we call on them as a priority for our training needs. »
« Trainee within the reach of novices and very accessible. »
« Communication and Interactivity, good progress in the subjects addressed from general to more specific themes. »
Ready to secure your customs operations?
Controlling customs fundamentals is no longer a competitive advantage but a necessity. Train your teams to reduce risks, optimize your flows and secure your international operations sustainably.
Answers to your questions!
Does training address recent regulatory developments?
Yes. The training incorporates recent regulatory developments, including annual updates to the Combined Nomenclature (CN), enhanced digitalisation of procedures via DELTA and dematerialisation of trade with the customs administration, as well as increased traceability and control requirements. The objective is to enable participants to align their operational practices with the current regulatory framework.
What is the difference between this training and a broader "international trade" training?
Here the focus is exclusively customs. Training does not spread over general modules related to international transport, incoterms or export trading techniques. The day is entirely devoted to the basics of customs clearance: tariff classification, origin of goods, value for customs purposes, customs procedures and reliability of declarations. This is a technical, targeted and resolutely conformance oriented training.
Is it a theoretical or practical training?
Both!
Participants work on:
Tariff Code Search (TARIC)
verification of a declaration
analysis of concrete cases of import or export
identification of risks in a real flow
The idea is to be able to apply the concepts learned upon return to business.
Does it take an import-export experience to complete this training?
No. This training does not require any prerequisites. It is designed to be accessible to employees who discover customs operations as well as to experienced profiles wishing to consolidate their bases. The programme lays down the fundamentals before moving towards practical cases. Groups of 3 to 8 participants make it possible to adapt the rhythm to each level.
Is this training appropriate if we do few import-export operations?
Yes! Even with a limited volume, there are risks: poor tariff classification, error in declared origin, poorly calculated value for duty.
A single control can generate:
tax adjustment
financial penalties
Blockage of goods
This training gives you the basis to secure your expeditions, even for occasional flows.
What are the training modalities?
Training on customs fundamentals takes place on a 7-hour day in Voiron, Isère, in the premises of ACTE International. It hosts between 3 and 8 participants per session. No prerequisites are required. An initial positioning MCQ allows to adapt the rhythm to the group, and a final evaluation validates the gains. The training is led by Laurence Spriet, EU expert in customs and tax engineering. It can also be organised intra-company for a program adapted to your specific flows. Tariff: 650 € HT, eligible OPCO.
Does the training give rise to validation of the achievements?
Yes!
An evaluation is used to verify understanding of key concepts. A certificate of success is issued to participants who have validated the essential skills.
Is the training financially viable?
Yes. Training is eligible for professional funding arrangements, notably through OPCOs and, depending on your situation, the CPF. The International Act teams can assist you in the identification of the device suitable for your business as well as in the administrative procedures necessary to assemble the file. This support enables companies to invest in increasing the competence of their teams while optimising their training budget.
What are the 3 pillars of the customs declaration addressed in this training?
The training is structured around the three basic elements of any customs declaration: the tariff species (the customs code of your goods, determined via the Harmonised System), the origin of the goods (preferential or non-preferential, condition of access to trade agreements) and the value for customs (base of calculation of duties and taxes). Each pillar is treated with a theoretical input followed by a practical case.
Location
27 chemin de Montollier 38500 VIEWON
Capacity
Between 3 and 8 learners
Accessibility
ACTE International is sensitive to the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Our training room in Voiron is accessible to people with reduced mobility. If you have a disability, please contact Wendy NICOLAS, a disability reference, in order to prepare your participation as best as possible: w.nicolas@acte-international.com
Basic customs training: your first step towards controlling customs operations
This one-day training is the essential foundation for any professional who interacts with customs, whether in import or export. It covers the regulatory framework, the operation of customs clearance, the three pillars of the declaration and the applicable regimes, with an approach that alternates regulatory and practical input from actual business situations. Accessible without preconditions, it is suitable for employees who discover customs operations as well as for experienced profiles wishing to consolidate their achievements. The training can be conducted independently to secure your operations on a daily basis, or as a starting point for further training: Incoterms 2020 to control the impact of trade rules on your logistics and customs flows, or the certifying journey Customs Reference (140 hours, RS7169 certification) to develop in-depth expertise in customs compliance. Organized as a face-to-face event in Voiron (Isère), but also in Paris, it is available in a business-to-business format and in a custom-made intra-company.