A bill of entry is a formal declaration describing goods that are being imported or exported, including details and the quantity of the goods, along with an estimate of their value. This document is examined by customs officials to inspect the shipment to determine whether or not it is consistent with the bill of entry, and discrepancies can be grounds for legal proceedings. Once the document has been reviewed and the shipment has been inspected, it can be cleared for sale or transfer. If there is a problem, customs may opt to confiscate the goods.