Articles on: Documentation

Power of Attorney (POA) - What It Is & When You Need It

At TUNL, we make international shipping as smooth as possible 🚀. Sometimes, part of that process means giving a trusted partner the authority to act on your behalf; that’s where a Power of Attorney (POA) comes in.

💡 What is a POA?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorises a third party, like a customs broker or freight forwarder, to handle certain shipping and customs tasks in your name.

With a POA in place, your broker can:

Submit customs declarations

Sign shipping documents

Liaise with customs officials to clear your goods quickly

🌍 Is it Country-Specific?

Yes! Each country has its own rules on when and how a POA must be completed:

United States 🇺🇸 – Required for a licensed customs broker to clear goods with CBP.

European Union 🇪🇺 – Written authorisation is usually needed; requirements vary by member state.

South Africa 🇿🇦 – Brokers need a written mandate from the importer/exporter.

Other countries – Some require notarisation, some accept e-signatures, and others only need a letter of authority.

🙋‍♀️ Who Needs to Complete a POA?

You’ll need to complete a POA if:

You’re the importer or exporter of record for shipments that require formal customs clearance.

You’re a business shipping internationally and appointing a broker or freight forwarder to manage customs on your behalf.

You’re an individual receiving goods that need a formal customs entry (e.g., high-value imports, restricted goods).

The destination or origin country requires it by law before customs clearance can take place.

In short, the person or company legally responsible for the goods in customs must complete the POA.

📅 When Do You Need a POA?

You’ll likely need a POA if:

You’re appointing a customs broker for clearance

Your forwarder files export/import declarations for you

Your goods require formal customs entry

You want someone to sign official shipping documents on your behalf

You don’t usually need one for simple courier shipments where the carrier clears goods under their own terms.

If our carrier asks you or your client for a POA 👉 please share it directly with the carrier.

If TUNL asks you for a POA 👉 send it to us, and we’ll share it with our carrier on your behalf 📧.

This ensures the right parties get the document quickly, so your shipment isn’t delayed ⏱️.

📝 What Should a POA Include?

A good POA is clear, specific, and signed by the right person. It should include:

Your details – Full name, address, business registration/tax number

Agent’s details – Broker/forwarder’s legal name and address

Authority granted – What they can do on your behalf (e.g., submit customs entries)

Duration – How long the POA is valid

Signatures – Dated, signed, and (if required) witnessed or notarised

Example wording:

I, [Your Name/Company Name], authorise [Broker Name] to act as my agent to prepare, sign, and submit all customs declarations required for my shipments. This authority is valid from [Start Date] until revoked in writing.

✨ Quick Takeaway

A POA is your “green light” for someone to handle customs on your behalf; it’s country-specific, legally binding, and can save you a lot of time and hassle. Always check the requirements for your destination before shipping 🌏.

🦸‍♀️ Have more questions? We're here to help!

If you run into any issues or have questions, reach out to our support team via Whatsapp here or on chat here.

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Updated on: 29/08/2025

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