When you track the status of your shipment through the freight forwarding platform and get a prompt saying, “Customs clearance delayed,” you must be very confused. What is the reason? This article will explain the reasons for customs delays and solutions to the corresponding problems. So the next time you encounter a problem caused by customs delays, you won’t have to worry. With our solutions, I believe it won’t be long before you receive the message “Customs clearance completed.
Causes of customs delays
When your goods are delayed at customs, it is likely to be caused by the following reasons:
Missing or incorrect information on documents
When your goods are being cleared through customs, customs will require the following documents: invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, etc. If any of these documents are missing, customs will require the missing information to be completed, which may cause a delay.
In addition, customs will check whether the information on your goods matches the details on the documents. This includes the product description, contents, value, etc. If the information on the documents does not match the goods being transported, customs officers may be unable to conduct a more detailed inspection. This can lead to delays.
Peak seasons, holidays, and port congestion
During peak shipping seasons and national holidays (e.g., Chinese New Year, Christmas, etc.), customs clearance can be affected by the large volume of shipments. In addition, if the port is congested, customs clearance will take longer.
Taxes and duties
If your shipment does not pay import taxes or duties promptly, customs may stop processing the shipment because they have not received payment, causing customs clearance delays.
Security issues
If you ship dangerous goods, it will attract the attention of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) because customs usually mark dangerous goods involving national security for detailed inspection.
Changes in national and regional policies
Import and export policies, tariffs, and prohibited goods can change from country to country. This is especially true when new regulations are introduced due to economic policies or the arrival of a new government. This can result in longer customs compliance reviews.
Shipping problems
Delays or damage during shipment can also affect the time it takes to clear customs. For example, if goods are lost, damaged, or delayed in arriving at their destination during shipment, this can affect the customs clearance process. Therefore, it is essential to choose a reliable freight forwarder.
What are the impacts of customs delays?
Additional costs
If customs clearance is delayed, the shipper will need to pay more port detention fees and storage fees and may even need to pay customs fines, increasing transportation costs.
Supply chain disruption
Any delay in the transportation process may affect the entire supply chain, especially for industries that rely on the rapid flow of goods. Customs clearance delays may disrupt the whole production or sales plan.
Damage to customer reputation
Delays in customs clearance can lead to companies failing to meet their contractual obligations on time, affecting customer trust and satisfaction. Prolonged delays can lead to customer loss or damage to reputation.
Missed delivery times
Timely delivery of goods is crucial for e-commerce and small and medium-sized enterprises. Delays in customs clearance can cause companies to miss the optimal delivery time.
Property damage
Customs delays can lead to goods not being delivered to customers or the supply chain on time, affecting production and sales plans and causing direct financial losses to companies. Companies may also have to pay additional storage fees, fines, or compensation to customers.
How can I avoid customs delays?
To avoid customs clearance delays, companies can take the following measures:
Ensure that documents are complete and accurate
Before shipping goods, the shipper should ensure that all required documents (such as invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc.) are complete and accurate. Accurate documents can effectively speed up the customs review process and reduce the possibility of customs delays.
Understand the regulations and requirements of the destination country
Customs regulations and clearance requirements vary from country to country and sometimes change due to national policy adjustments. Companies should understand the customs clearance requirements of the destination country before shipping to ensure that the goods meet the import standards of the destination country.
Choose an experienced freight forwarder
and work with a professional freight forwarder who understands the customs clearance process and the destination country’s policies. This can help companies avoid common delays and ensure timely customs clearance.
Pay taxes and duties in advance.
Paying customs duties and taxes in advance can ensure customs will not hold goods due to unpaid taxes after arriving at the destination, avoiding unnecessary delays.
Plan transportation well
Work with a reliable freight company to ensure accurate transportation routes and time planning, avoiding delays in customs clearance due to transportation delays.
What should you do if your shipment is delayed at customs?
If your shipment is delayed at customs, you can take the following steps:
Communicate with customs
Contact customs as soon as possible to determine the reason for the delay and provide any additional documents or information needed to help speed up the clearance process.
Contact the freight forwarder.
If the shipment was arranged through a freight forwarder, you can contact them for a professional solution. The freight forwarder can help coordinate with customs and the shipping company to reduce the delay.
Pay the relevant fees.
If taxes or duties cause the delay, pay the relevant fees promptly to avoid further delays in customs clearance.
Regularly track the status of the goods.
Track the status of the goods’ customs clearance continuously to keep abreast of progress and ensure that problems are resolved quickly.
How can a freight forwarder help with customs delays?
An experienced freight forwarder can be extremely helpful in dealing with customs delays in the following ways
Expertise and experience
Freight forwarders usually have extensive experience in customs clearance. They can help companies understand and respond to any customs requirements promptly, avoiding customs delays caused by incorrect documentation or inappropriate procedures.
A bridge to customs
Freight forwarders usually maintain good communication with customs and can respond quickly to and handle customs issues, helping speed up customs clearance.
Solve transportation problems
Suppose the customs delay is due to a problem in the transportation process. In that case, the freight forwarder can coordinate with the transportation company to reschedule the transportation plan to ensure the goods can reach their destination as soon as possible.
Provide customs clearance services.
Some freight forwarders also provide customs clearance services on behalf of their clients, ensuring that the goods can be cleared smoothly within the specified time.
