Physical inspection
Physical examination of goods by customs, potentially including unloading, sampling, and laboratory analysis.
Physical inspection (or examination of goods) constitutes the most thorough level of customs verification, corresponding to the red channel. It involves direct examination of goods to verify their conformity with the customs declaration and accompanying documents.
This check can take several forms: visual inspection, opening of packages and containers, weighing, measuring, taking samples for laboratory analysis, and in some cases using scanning equipment (X-ray, gamma). Customs authorities may carry out partial (sampling) or full inspection of the consignment.
Physical inspection is triggered by the risk management system based on risk profiles or intelligence information. It may also be ordered following a documentary check that revealed anomalies. Sensitive goods (restricted products, suspected counterfeits, dangerous goods) are subject to higher inspection rates.
The costs associated with physical inspection (unloading, handling, storage during inspection) are in principle borne by the operator. The UCC requires customs authorities to carry out inspections in the shortest possible time to limit disruption for economic operators.