What You Should Do When Your Shipment Is Stuck At Customs in 2024?

Shipping goods internationally can be a smooth process until your shipment is stuck at customs. This unexpected hiccup can be frustrating, leading to delays, additional costs, and missed deadlines. However, customs holds are common and can often be resolved if you know the right steps to take.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through why shipment is stuck at customs, how to handle customs delays, and, most importantly, what you can do to prevent future delays. Whether you’re an e-commerce merchant or an individual waiting for a package, these actionable tips will help you navigate customs issues with confidence.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why Your Shipment is Stuck at Customs

Before diving into the steps for resolving a customs delay or your shipment gets stuck at customs, it’s important to understand why your shipment might be held up in the first place. Here are the most common reasons why the shipment is stuck at customs:

Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
Customs requires accurate paperwork for every international shipment. If you miss a crucial document or include inaccurate details, customs officers will hold your package for further review. This is especially common with commercial invoices, customs forms, or certificates of origin.
Unpaid Customs Duties or Taxes
Every country imposes duties and taxes on imported goods. If these fees are not paid upfront, your shipment will remain in customs until they are settled. This is a common cause of delays, especially if the recipient is unaware that they owe additional fees.
Prohibited or Restricted Items
Every country has a list of prohibited and restricted items that cannot be imported without specific licenses. If your package contains an item that’s on the restricted list, customs will hold it for further investigation.

How to Get Your Shipment Moving Again if Stuck at Customs: A Step-by-Step Approach

If your shipment is currently stuck at customs, follow these steps to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Contact Your Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Provider Immediately

The first thing you should do when you notice that a shipment is delayed at customs is to contact your third-party logistics (3PL) provider or shipping company. Most e-commerce businesses work with a 3PL to handle the logistics, so they often have direct relationships with shippers and customs brokers.

Why Contact Them First?
They can provide detailed insights into the shipment’s status and may have already identified the issue holding it up at customs. They’ll also guide you on what specific actions need to be taken, whether it’s submitting additional documents or paying taxes.
What to Ask For
Request the tracking number and detailed shipment history. With the tracking number, you’ll be able to monitor the shipment’s progress in real-time via the shipping carrier’s online portal. Many WooCommerce stores already have built-in features for this, especially when using a shipping plugin.

If you’re using WooCommerce, plugins like ELEX EasyPost (FedEx, UPS, Canada Post & USPS) Shipping & Label Printing Plugin make it easier to track shipments. These plugins automatically generate tracking numbers that are shared with the customer in the order confirmation email, keeping both you and your customers updated.

Contact Your Shipping Carrier Directly

If contacting your 3PL provider doesn’t resolve the issue, your next step is to reach out to the shipping carrier directly. Whether you’re using UPS, FedEx, USPS, or another carrier, they usually have dedicated customer service teams for customs-related issues.

Why This Step Is Important
Shipping carriers have direct access to customs offices and can expedite the release of your package. They can also clarify what documents or fees are required to clear customs and help you avoid further delays.
Tracking Your Shipment’s Progress
Provide the shipment’s tracking number to the carrier to get real-time updates. Sometimes customs delays or your shipment is stuck at customs are due to errors that can be resolved simply by updating the documentation, and the carrier can guide you through that process.

Pay Any Unpaid Customs Duties or Taxes Promptly

One of the most common reasons for customs delays or your shipment is stuck at customs is unpaid duties or taxes. These fees are based on the value of the goods being imported, and different countries have different thresholds. If you haven’t paid these fees in advance, customs will hold your shipment until they are settled.

How to Check for Unpaid Duties
Customs officers may notify you, your customer, or the shipping carrier if there are unpaid taxes. Alternatively, many shipping carriers will notify you via email or text message if additional fees are required.
How to Avoid Future Delays
Make sure you understand the customs duties for each country you’re shipping to. For instance, U.S. customs have an online Tariff Database where you can check the duty rates for different products. If you’re shipping frequently to international markets, hiring a customs broker can help ensure that duties and taxes are handled efficiently.

Verify If You Are Shipping Restricted or Prohibited Items

Customs delays are also common when you attempt to ship restricted or prohibited items. Each country has its own set of rules governing what products can be imported, and violating these rules can lead to confiscation or severe delays.

Check Country-Specific Regulations
Always verify the import regulations for your destination country. Restricted items could include anything from weapons to food products, and some countries impose additional rules for items like electronics or clothing.
How to Ensure Compliance
Before shipping, consult the restricted and prohibited items list for the destination country. Make sure your shipment doesn’t contain any items that violate local laws. You can also consult with your shipping carrier or a customs broker for more specific advice.

Avoiding Customs Delays in the Future: Best Practices

Now that you know how to resolve customs delays, let’s look at some preventive measures to ensure that your future shipments don’t get stuck at customs.

Double-Check All Shipping Documentation

Incomplete or incorrect paperwork is the number one reason why shipments are held at customs. Make sure every international shipment is accompanied by the correct documents, including commercial invoices, airway bills, and any necessary customs forms (e.g., CN22 or CN23).

Documents to Include
- Commercial Invoice
  Must include accurate product descriptions, values, and origin.
- Airway Bill or Bill of Lading
  Needed for transportation tracking.
- Customs Declaration Forms
  Required for specific countries and goods.
- Certificates
  For special goods (e.g., Halal certificates for food products being shipped to Middle Eastern countries).

Pay Customs Duties in Advance

Wherever possible, pay customs duties upfront to avoid delays. This can be done either through your shipping carrier or a customs broker. Pre-paying duties ensure that your shipment passes through customs smoothly, without the recipient having to deal with surprise fees.

Using Shipping Carriers’ Services
Major shipping carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer services where customs duties can be pre-paid by the sender. This reduces the chance of the shipment being held up at customs due to unpaid fees.

Utilize WooCommerce Shipping Plugins for Seamless Shipping

Using WooCommerce shipping plugins can simplify your shipping process by automating the generation of customs documents and providing real-time tracking. Plugins like ELEX WooCommerce USPS Shipping Plugin with Shipment Tracking & Print Label offer a comprehensive solution for shipping, tracking, and documentation, ensuring that your shipments are in compliance with customs regulations.

Benefits of Using Shipping Plugins

Automatically generate shipping labels and customs documents.
Provide real-time shipment tracking to customers.
Integrate seamlessly with popular carriers like UPS, FedEx, and Canada Post.

Last Shot

Dealing with customs delays can be frustrating, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can minimize the chances when your shipment is stuck at customs and resolve issues swiftly when they do arise.

Always ensure you have complete documentation, pay duties upfront, and stay informed about the regulations in the countries you’re shipping to. If you’re running a WooCommerce store, integrating advanced shipping plugins can streamline the entire process and provide your customers with a seamless shipping experience.

Taking these preventive measures will save you time, money, and the headache of dealing with customs issues in the future. And remember, international shipping doesn’t have to be stressful with the right tools and knowledge, you can ensure smooth cross-border operations and keep your customers satisfied.

Here are some plugins that will help you achieve safe and prompt shipping :

FAQ’S

How long can customs hold my shipment?
Customs holds can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the reason for the delay and the efficiency of the customs office.
What should I do if my shipment is stuck at customs?
Contact your shipping carrier or broker first, ensure all documents are accurate, and pay any outstanding duties or fees to expedite clearance.
Why is the shipment is stuck at customs?
Common reasons include missing documentation, unpaid duties, or random inspections. Prohibited items or incorrect declarations can also cause delays.
Can I appeal a customs decision?
Yes, if you believe your shipment has been wrongly held, you can appeal, particularly for incorrect duties or prohibited item claims.
How can I avoid customs delays in the future?
Ensure accurate paperwork, understand the customs regulations of your destination country, and use reliable carriers or customs brokers.
Do customs officials have the right to open my package?
Yes, customs officials can inspect any package entering or leaving the country to verify its contents and assess duties or taxes.