In essence, the Customs Corridor System is part of the Risk Management and Control System (RMCS), developed by the government together with the Customs Committee.
The main goal of RMCS is to reduce the risk of non-payment of customs duties and taxes during clearance procedures.
The RMCS is divided into four color-coded corridors:
1. Green Corridor – Release Approved
This means your declaration has passed the checks successfully. You are free to dispose of your goods without any restrictions.
2. Yellow Corridor – Document Control
When a declaration is filed, it may be assigned to the Yellow Corridor, which indicates a documentary check of the information submitted.
The process includes:
- Verification of the declaration against submitted documents;
- Review of documents required for customs clearance;
- Intellectual property rights (IPR) check of the brand;
- Verification of compliance with non-tariff regulations;
- Examination of declared customs value for possible underpricing.
How does it work?
The system automatically assigns a customs inspector, who sends an electronic request to the declarant for supporting documents. The declarant is required to provide all requested documents electronically. The inspector reviews them and, if suspicions arise, may order a physical inspection (customs examination). If no issues are found, the declaration is transferred to the Green Corridor (Release Approved).
3. Red Corridor – Physical Inspection
In this case, the system requires goods to undergo a physical check: weighing, laboratory analysis, or direct inspection.
Most often, this occurs when the system detects possible underpricing of customs value.
What does underpricing mean?
It is the discrepancy between the declared customs value and the reference price data available in the customs database for similar goods.
How is underpricing determined?
- Each product is assigned a 10-digit HS code and country of origin;
- The RMCS cross-checks this data against its valuation database;
- If the declared value is lower than the calculated benchmark, the system flags it as underpriced.
Two possible outcomes:
- The declarant agrees with the customs valuation and pays the difference.
- The declarant places the difference on a customs deposit as a guarantee and provides evidence (export declaration, sales contract, invoice, packing list, manufacturer’s price list, cost certificate). Based on this, customs may accept the declared value. If not, the declarant must pay duties and 12% VAT on the reassessed amount.
How does the inspection take place?
A customs inspector arrives at the cargo site with a customs broker to verify that goods match the documents. The inspection is video-recorded. If discrepancies are found, an administrative violation is issued with penalties depending on severity. If everything matches, the declaration is transferred to the Green Corridor (Release Approved).
4. Blue Corridor – Post-Clearance Control
The Blue Corridor is the most complex in logic. It allows goods to be released but places them under post-clearance control.
This means the goods are considered “at risk” and may be subject to:
- Customs value checks;
- Tariff classification verification;
- Country of origin control.
Declarations in the Blue Corridor are transferred to the post-clearance and tariff regulation departments. The declarant is notified that the declaration will undergo control after release.
The Blue Corridor has two scenarios:
- Post-clearance value control – The goods can be removed from the bonded warehouse (temporary storage) and sold or used, but remain under customs monitoring. Later, statistical or desk audits may be performed. If no violations are found, the declaration is reassigned to the Green Corridor. If discrepancies are discovered, additional requirements are imposed on the declarant.
- Conditional Release – Certification of goods is permitted after clearance. In this case, the goods cannot be sold or used until certification is completed. The declarant may:
- remove the goods from the bonded warehouse,
- move them to their own warehouse,
- take samples for certification.
- Once the certificate is obtained and entered into the declaration, customs verifies its authenticity in the official registry. If valid, the declaration is moved to the Green Corridor.
Key Difference Between Red and Blue Corridors
- In the Red Corridor, the goods remain under customs control and cannot be released until all issues are resolved.
- In the Blue Corridor, the goods can be released and used (in the case of post-clearance control), but they remain under monitoring and potential inspection.
What Determines Corridor Assignment?
The RMCS identifies goods subject to higher risk. Based on pre-set risk criteria (product type, HS code, country of origin, trade statistics), the system applies filters. Goods that match these risk profiles are automatically directed to the corresponding corridor — often Red or Blue.
Every importer and declarant should be prepared for any of the four corridors. The outcome does not always depend on the company itself — much is determined by the risk management system.
Understanding how each corridor works, and especially how to act in the Yellow, Red, and Blue corridors, allows businesses to save time, avoid penalties, and ensure smoother customs clearance.
