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Few things are more frustrating than having your shipment held at customs. It can cause delays, disappoint customers and leave you feeling stuck with no control over the situation.

The truth is, shipments held at customs are more common than you think. And it’s not always a disaster. From missing paperwork to unpaid duties, a stuck shipment can happen for a variety of reasons, and most of these can be resolved. 

In this blog, we walk you through why custom holds happen, what you can do to get things moving quickly and how a great freight forwarder like Millennium Cargo can help.

Common Reasons Shipments Are Held at Customs

Shipment held at customs? There are a number of reasons that this happens. Let’s explore. 

Missing or Incorrect Paperwork

The customs process relies heavily on documentation, including packing lists, certificates of origin and commercial invoices. If some of your paperwork isn’t present or has been completed incorrectly, your shipment is likely to be delayed until the errors have been fixed. 

Unpaid Duties or Taxes

Officials may have your shipment held at customs if there is a discrepancy in the declared value or if duties or taxes haven’t been paid. 

Restricted or Prohibited Items

Some goods require permits or certification to be moved across borders, and others aren’t allowed to be transported at all. Shipments containing restricted or prohibited items may be seized or held whilst further checks are undertaken and certification verified. 

Random Inspection

Sometimes, the decision to hold a shipment at customs is simply because it has been chosen at random for inspection. Whilst it can be frustrating, this is an important part of the customs process that ensures compliance and security for all. 

Poor Labelling or HS Codes

Incorrect Harmonised System codes or vague labelling can also cause your shipment to be held and subject to investigation.

shipment held at customs

 What to Do Immediately

If you are notified that your shipment has been held up at customs, don’t panic. Delays are often solvable. Instead, follow these steps.

1. Contact Your Freight Forwarder.

Get in touch with your forwarder as soon as you can. They can speak to customs on your behalf and find out the reason why your shipment is being held.

2. Gather Missing Documentation

Collect any required paperwork, such as the commercial invoice, packing list or COI, and prepare them for sending. Ensure every document is filled out correctly and clearly

3. Stay Responsive

Time is critical when dealing with customs authorities. Respond promptly to requests from your forwarder or customs officials to make sure you can avoid further delays or storage costs.

How Your Freight Forwarder Can Help

If your shipment is held at customs, it doesn’t have to be a huge headache. When things don’t go to plan, a proactive forwarder like Millennium Cargo will…

Liaise With Customs

We communicate directly with customs officials to clarify the reason your shipment is being held, find out what’s needed and get things moving. 

Provide Missing Information or Documentation

Reputable, proactive forwarders like Millennium will help you locate missing info or documentation quickly and send it where it needs to go.

 Advise on Fees or Next Steps

Whether it’s paying storage fees and duties or locating paperwork, we’ll guide you through what needs to happen next, helping to minimise costs and delays so you can keep your stress levels down.

 Keep You Informed

We manage everyone’s expectations with clear, regular updates, so you’re not left wondering what’s going on throughout the process. 

This is where having a partner, not just a provider, really counts. Read more about how your freight forwarder can help you navigate the complexities of customs here.

 How to Avoid Future Customs Issues

Customs delays aren’t always avoidable, but there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of it happening.

Work With an Experienced Freight Forwarder

Partner with a trusted, experienced forwarder who will thoroughly check your documents before dispatch and flag any issues before they snowball.

 Keep Accurate Records

Keep consistent and accurate records, ensuring everything matches up and there are no discrepancies. This means paying special attention to values, quantities and HS codes. 

 Shipment Gets Held at Customs

Know the Rules 

Import and export rules vary around the world. Make sure you have a good understanding of the rules and regulations of the country you’re exporting to to avoid surprises. You can read more about handling the complex customs rules of some destinations here.

 Be Honest

Under-declaring the value of your shipment or using vague item descriptions is almost certain to result in your shipment being held and investigated at customs. Do YOU know how to make your customs declarations? Find out here.

Why Choose Millennium Cargo

Millennium Cargo is an experienced, family-run freight forwarder that treats your cargo with the same care and urgency we’d expect for our own. 

We know how stressful customs clearance can be. We’ve seen it all and have decades of global expertise in helping our clients overcome roadblocks. 

Here’s what sets us apart from the rest…

Real People

You’ll always speak to professional, friendly team members who know about your shipment and care about getting it moving.

 Proactive Support

The best way to handle problems is to spot and solve them early on. We take time to fine-tune the logistics of your shipment getting from A to B to avoid unexpected delays.

 Global Experience

We’ve helped hundreds of clients ship goods all over the world. Whether you’re sending a shipment one county across or halfway across the globe, we can help. 

 Shipment Held at Customs? We’re Here to Help

Delayed freight is frustrating, but it doesn’t have to derail your whole operation. Knowing what to do if it happens is half the battle, and with a trusted freight forwarder like Millennium by your side, your shipment will be well on its way in no time. 

Need shipping help? Or want a freight forwarder who can help you avoid issues altogether? Get in touch with Millennium Cargo today.