It’s a frustrating reality for many e-commerce businesses: You’ve done everything right—picked, packed, shipped—and then suddenly, your order disappears into a black hole marked “Held at customs.”
In fact, as much as 20% of international e-commerce shipments face customs-related delays, costing time, money, and customer satisfaction. For small and mid-sized sellers, even one held package can impact ratings and future sales.
Customs delays aren’t always avoidable, but many are preventable. This blog will walk you through the most common scenarios where shipments get stuck and what you can do to avoid them. Whether it’s documentation errors, seasonal traffic, or incorrect tariff codes, we’ll unpack the root causes—and share tips to keep your parcels moving and get them released from customs faster.
Before an international shipment can enter or leave a country, it must pass through customs control—the governmental authority that checks for legal compliance. This process is called customs clearance, and it’s a crucial part of cross-border trade.
Simply put, customs clearance ensures the goods you’re shipping are legal, properly documented, and duty-paid where applicable.
Compliance is non-negotiable in global trade. Missing documents, misclassified items, or underpaid taxes can trigger delays—or worse, seizures and fines.
From declaring items at customs accurately to ensuring all paperwork aligns with import/export rules, compliance helps speed up clearance and avoid red flags that hold up shipments.
Several parties play key roles in custom clearance service:
Getting everyone on the same page is critical for a seamless shipping experience.
Understanding the common causes of customs delays is the first step to preventing them. Here are the top culprits:
This is the #1 reason shipments get stuck. Common problems include:
One missed document can add days—or even weeks—to your timeline. For export or import, both sides must comply with their respective country’s regulations.
During holidays and sales events like Black Friday, Christmas, or Lunar New Year, customs agencies deal with surging volumes.
This overload creates bottlenecks in processing, even for shipments that are perfectly compliant.
To make matters worse, courier services may also be stretched thin, causing further slowdowns in post-clearance delivery. Planning ahead is essential to minimize disruptions during peak seasons.
Some goods are restricted, regulated, or outright banned in certain countries. These include:
Even if legal, these products may require special permits or advance declarations. Failure to comply can result in seizure or return to sender.
Using the wrong HS (Harmonized System) code can lead to:
This is especially common when sellers rely on automated systems without verifying the codes. A small mistake in classification can create major headaches down the line.
Another reason shipments may get stuck is due to unpaid or underpaid duties and taxes.
If a shipment arrives and no payment has been arranged (or it’s incorrect), customs may hold the package until resolution. This also affects DDU (Delivery Duty Unpaid) shipments, where customers must pay on arrival—often causing confusion and delay.
Even compliant shipments can get flagged for random inspections under customs control. These are unplanned, often unavoidable, and typically add 24–72 hours to delivery.
Although frustrating, random checks are part of the security process. Ensuring your paperwork is in perfect order helps minimize the impact.
When shipping goods in commercial quantities, customs authorities apply stricter compliance checks. Larger volumes raise flags for proper documentation, valuation accuracy, and regulatory adherence. Failing to meet these requirements can result in delays, penalties, or even shipment seizures under customs control.
To navigate this, many e-commerce businesses leverage the de minimis concept. This refers to a threshold below which imported goods are exempt from duties and taxes. For instance, in the UAE, shipments valued under AED 1000 may qualify for duty-free entry. By structuring shipments to fall within these thresholds—especially for lower-cost items—businesses can reduce costs and speed up processing.
Using de minimis effectively allows smoother custom clearance service, minimizes paperwork, and helps shipments get released from customs faster. However, it’s crucial to monitor changing regulations by country to stay compliant and avoid misuse.
While not every delay can be prevented, most can be mitigated by taking a few smart steps. Here’s how to stay ahead of the customs curve:
Double-check every document before shipping:
Don’t forget digital copies—many modern systems require both electronic and physical documentation.
Every country has its own rules, and they change frequently. Stay informed by:
Use customs websites or consult a broker to ensure your product isn’t unknowingly violating a regulation.
Use the official Harmonized System (HS) code directory to classify your products. If unsure:
Working with a custom clearance service provider takes the pressure off your internal team. These professionals:
For businesses scaling across borders, this partnership is often the key to consistency and reliability.
Choosing a DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) shipping model means the seller covers taxes upfront. This avoids surprises and speeds up delivery.
Customers also appreciate not being asked to pay unexpected fees upon arrival, making for a smoother buying experience.
Start early and ship early. Strategies include:
Advance planning helps protect your reputation and keep delivery promises.
Today’s shipping platforms and logistics software offer tools that help you:
Look for integrations with couriers and customs authorities to simplify the entire pipeline. These digital customs clearance solutions are worth the investment.
Qafila offers a range of Value Added Services (VAS) designed to streamline the e-commerce shipment process, ensuring smoother operations from start to finish. One of the key services under VAS is customs clearance, where Qafila plays a vital role in preventing shipments from getting stuck at customs.
With services such as Importer of Record management and product registration, Qafila helps businesses navigate complex customs regulations efficiently, ensuring that shipments clear smoothly and on time. This proactive approach minimizes delays and ensures compliance, allowing businesses to maintain a seamless supply chain.
Qafila’s comprehensive customs clearance services address the key challenges of cross-border shipping, ensuring your parcels are released from customs without hassle:
With Qafila’s expertise and proactive approach, your e-commerce shipments clear customs efficiently, keeping your supply chain smooth and your customers happy.
Customs delays are a common pain point in international e-commerce—but they’re not inevitable.
By understanding the causes (like poor documentation, incorrect codes, or seasonal bottlenecks) and implementing practical solutions (from expert help to better tech), you can dramatically reduce the chances your shipments get held up.
Here’s the recap:
Being proactive is the best way to ensure your shipments are released from customs without delay. Your customers expect fast, reliable delivery—and with the right strategy, you can deliver on that promise.
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