7 Reasons Your Shipment Is Stuck at Customs (And How to Fix Each One)

When Your Goods Won't Move

Few things are more stressful than learning your shipment is being held at customs. Every day of delay costs money — port storage, missed sales, unhappy customers. But most holds are caused by preventable issues.

Reason 1: Incorrect or Missing HS Code

What happens: Customs can't process your declaration without a valid HS code, or they disagree with the code you've used.

How to fix it: Provide the correct code. If there's a classification dispute, your customs broker can submit supporting evidence. For future shipments, verify your codes with the HS code lookup tool before shipping.

Prevention: Always use a validated HS code. Never guess or copy a code from your supplier without checking.

Reason 2: Value Discrepancy

What happens: Customs thinks your declared value is too low (potential undervaluation to avoid duty) or inconsistent with market prices.

How to fix it: Provide supporting documentation — purchase order, payment proof, previous import entries at similar values.

Prevention: Always declare the true transaction value. Consistent, accurate declarations build a positive compliance history.

Reason 3: Missing Documentation

What happens: A required document wasn't submitted — certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, import licence, or conformity certificate.

How to fix it: Get the missing document to your customs broker as quickly as possible. Some documents can take days to obtain (especially government-issued licences).

Prevention: Create a document checklist for each shipment. Use the invoice generator to ensure your commercial invoices are complete.

Reason 4: Regulatory Non-Compliance

What happens: Your product requires specific certifications (CE marking, UKCA, FDA, etc.) that aren't present or weren't declared.

How to fix it: If you have the certification, provide proof. If you don't, the goods may be refused entry, returned, or destroyed.

Prevention: Research compliance requirements before ordering. This is one of the most expensive mistakes to fix after the goods have shipped.

Reason 5: Random Inspection

What happens: Your shipment was randomly selected for physical examination. This happens to a percentage of all imports — it's not necessarily a sign of a problem.

How to fix it: Wait. The inspection will verify that the contents match the declaration. If everything checks out, goods are released. Budget 2–5 additional days.

Prevention: You can't avoid random selection, but a clean compliance history reduces your risk score and makes random selection less likely.

Reason 6: Anti-Dumping or Safeguard Measures

What happens: Your product is subject to additional duties (anti-dumping, countervailing, or safeguard duties) that weren't declared.

How to fix it: Pay the additional duties. Your customs broker should calculate the correct amount.

Prevention: Check whether your product is subject to trade remedy measures before importing. Your customs broker or the LandedCost.io duty engine can help identify these.

Reason 7: Intellectual Property Flags

What happens: Customs suspects the goods may infringe trademarks, patents, or copyrights. Brand owners can register their IP with customs authorities, who will then detain suspected counterfeits.

How to fix it: Provide proof that your goods are genuine — authorisation letters from the brand owner, purchase agreements, or evidence that the brand is your own.

Prevention: Never import counterfeit goods. If sourcing branded products, maintain clear authorisation documentation.

What to Do While Your Goods Are Held

1. Contact your customs broker immediately — they're your interface with customs
2. Gather all supporting documents — invoices, certificates, payment records
3. Respond quickly — delays in providing information extend the hold
4. Don't panic — most holds resolve within 3–7 business days
5. Track the financial impact — storage fees, missed sales, alternative sourcing costs

Building a Clean Record

Customs authorities maintain importer compliance scores. Consistent, accurate declarations over time:

• Reduce your likelihood of inspection
• Enable faster clearance (green route)
• May qualify you for Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status — the highest trust level

Track all your shipment details and customs interactions in LandedCost.io to build an accurate compliance history.