Customs Holds Explained
What a customs hold means for your shipment, why it happens, and what you can do to resolve it.
What is a customs hold?#
A customs hold means your shipment has been stopped at a border checkpoint for inspection, documentation review, or duty assessment. It's flagged with a red Customs Hold badge on the Shipments page.
Common for international shipments, especially those without complete documentation.
Common reasons#
- Missing or incorrect customs documentation — commercial invoice, packing list, or certificate of origin
- Incorrect tariff code — the HS code doesn't match the goods description
- Duty payment required — duties or taxes need to be paid before release
- Random inspection — routine checks by customs authorities
- Restricted goods — the product requires special permits or licences
What to do#
1. Check the latest tracking event for details on why the shipment is held
2. Contact your carrier or customs broker for specific requirements
3. Provide any missing documentation as quickly as possible
4. If duty is owed, arrange payment through your carrier or directly with customs
Most customs holds are resolved within 1–5 business days once documentation is provided.
Preventing future holds#
- Always include a complete commercial invoice with every international shipment
- Double-check HS tariff codes before shipping
- Include accurate goods descriptions and values
- Use AskBiz's Landed Cost Calculator to estimate duties in advance
- Work with a customs broker for complex or high-value shipments
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this article helpful?
Still stuck? Email our support team.