You are waiting for your package and ready to ship it to your customers as soon as possible. Unfortunately, you receive a notification that your package is stuck in customs. This can be a nuisance, as you have to report your documents. The delay can be detrimental to your image.
There are some protocols for properly following up on the customs and ensuring that this doesn’t happen again. We discuss in detail what to do when this happens.
Part 1. Why Is My Package Stuck in Customs?
There can be a number of reasons behind this issue that you must understand so you don’t make the mistakes again. Resolving it ASAP is also important. With this information, you can act accordingly and make it quick.
– Missing Or Incorrect Paperwork
When you receive a shipment from abroad, particular information, including necessary documents, must be included in the package. For example, the following are some things that might be missing from your package.
- How much does the package cost?
- What is in the package, and is it an exotic item?
- Missing information and address to the recipient.
- Other custom-related papers.
Please keep in mind that the requirements for these items may change depending on the size and quantity of the package.
– Duties and Taxes
In certain cases, customs require that you fulfill the DDP (delivery duty paid) requirement. Most of the time, the package is delivered to you and handed over until you pay this tax and duty.
In rare cases, if the DDP isn’t paid, the customs detains your package and only releases it upon payment after your visit in person.
– Prohibited Items
- Prohibited Items
- Following are some common prohibited items:
- Hazardous materials like fireworks and chemicals.
- Wild animal accessories.
- Money and bank bills.
- Narcotic substances and, in certain cases, vape products.
- Sometimes, postage stamps are also considered prohibited.
- Please make sure you get proper documentation before getting similar items delivered, lest you get your package stuck in customs.
– Valuation Issues
These issues are caused by mentioning incorrect tariff codes on your package. Furthermore, customs officials may think that you have valued the ingredients of the package too low to save taxes. If this is the case, then you may be fined for it before you can get the package.
The best solution is to show payment information for the package with proper documentation.
– Replica
You may have ordered replicas, which in some countries aren’t allowed and may be destroyed upon arrival, and you will still be fined. It is usually assumed that you are going to sell these replicas and rip others off. Make sure to mention that these are for personal use and buy replicas only that clearly show that others can’t be fooled by them.
Part 2. What To Do If Your Package Stuck in Customs?
There is no need to worry when your package stuck in customs, as you can follow these steps to get things cleared.
- Contact Custom Personnel—Contact them quickly to learn the reason behind the delay and check what you need to do to get it cleared.
- Contact the Supplying Carrier—Contact the shipping company to get proper information about the reason behind the delay. You may not need to do this if you are using a 3PL company, as they take care of it.
- Check Missing Information—Check for missing information or mistakes in the documentation. You can also check the tax and duties protocols.
Part 3. How To Avoid My Package Stuck in Customs?
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid getting your package stuck in customs.
Make sure you learn what aspects of shipping customs checks and make a checklist to complete each and everything beforehand. If you have proper knowledge of all the policies and steps, you can avoid such issues altogether.
One thing to note here is that these policies will change from country to country, so keep that in mind and don’t make any assumptions. So clearly mention along with the package the complete details like what is in it, how much it costs, what’s the intended use for it, etc. Furthermore, make sure you include commercial invoicing and other documents for export.
Each completed document will increase the chances of your shipment arriving on time. Always double-check everything so no delays can occur. Read and understand the laws of customs for the destination country and make sure your package doesn’t violate any of these regulations.
You must also make proper valuations, especially from the country of origin, such as HS codes, and make sure these are compliant. According to the item valuation and HS codes, make sure you have paid the proper amount of taxes.
There were times when companies undervalued their packages to avoid taxes. But now customs can easily access this information online, and you may be in trouble. If you do have direct contact with a factory selling cheaper, make sure to include their certificates and proper valuation.
Part 4. How Does Customs Clearance Work?
Customs clearance is a lengthy process, and sometimes, it can take more than a few days, especially when there are a lot of incoming shipments. The process is further delayed because of some of the issues mentioned above.
Here are a few steps of custom clearance that you must understand as a business.
Document Validation
The customs officers will first check each document and validate if everything is in order. If anything is not validated or followed, the officer will flag the shipment so you, as a consumer, may be notified with proper reasoning for the delay.
Checking Import Taxes and Duties
Once the validation process is finished, the customs department will check the value of the package and whether the valuation documents sent by the sender are correct. If the amount isn’t correct, flagging is done, and there is no delay if the valuation is correct.
In cases where the item is cheap, under a certain threshold, then no duties or taxes are applied. You can get more details about the limit from Section 321. For example, if you are shipping anything to the US, anything below $800 is free from duties.
You will be charged a minimum of 3% for most things but can exceed 37.5% if it is a luxury item. Therefore, it is recommended that the tariff list be prepared beforehand to avoid incurring large duties.
Eligible for Duties and Taxes
The customs officer will check if you have paid these beforehand, especially if you check if DDP is done. This allows for a smooth release of your package without delay. Thus, you will get the package quickly as the next steps aren’t so cumbersome.
If you haven’t paid the customs and duties, you will need to do so first. Most of the time, the customs department will hire a third party to handle these proceedings. You will pay them, and then the customs will release your shipment.
Smooth Customs Through NextSmartShip 3PL Provider
These steps seem insignificant, but in the modern age, any delay is an unsatisfied customer. So, the best way to avoid your packaging being stuck in customs is to hire a professional 3PL company like NextSmartShip. They have years of experience and know how to handle and store your items.
The best part is that you can focus on managing the store while NextSmartShip handles everything from the factory to your customers. Talk to an expert from NextSmartShip today and see why they are so professional in getting everything in order.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed in detail how you can avoid getting your package stuck in customs. It is simple to do, though it may take you time to learn all the aspects of shipping and customs. That’s why we have detailed all the critical information here so you don’t make mistakes.
Still, you have the option to avoid all the delays and problems if you hire the services of companies like NextSmartShip for affordable prices. Get in contact today to avoid all these issues.
