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Practical Tips | Customs Clearance Delays? Here’s What You Need to Know

Published:2026-10-21 02:35
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In international logistics, one term frequently encountered and discussed is "destination customs clearance."

 

Sometimes clearance is completed in just one or two days, while other times it can be delayed by ten days or even half a month. Why does this happen? And what should you pay attention to in order to avoid clearance delays?

 

To understand customs clearance issues, we first need to know what destination customs clearance is.

 

 

01
 
What Is Destination Customs Clearance?

 

Customs clearance, also known as customs formalities, refers to the procedures that must be completed in accordance with legal requirements when import, export, or transit goods enter or leave a country's customs territory. After inbound goods go through customs declaration, inspection, duty assessment, and release procedures, all entry obligations must be fulfilled before the goods can be released, picked up by the logistics company, and finally delivered.

 

In short, when goods from any country enter another country, customs clearance procedures must be carried out as required. Otherwise, goods entering in violation of regulations will be subject to legal sanctions by the destination country. For each country, customs clearance serves two main purposes: first, to check whether the goods are legal; and second, to levy duties to maintain trade balance between the two countries.

 

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02
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What is the customs clearance process?
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01
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Exchange of Delivery Order
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Go to the freight forwarder or shipping company to exchange for the D/O. (Determine where to exchange the order based on the bill of lading in hand. H B/L – Freight Forwarder’s Bill of Lading; M B/L – Shipping Company’s Bill of Lading.) Electronic declaration – computer pre-entry, document review, submission, and communication with customs/release.

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02
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Inspection Declaration
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After electronic declaration release, take one copy from the four-part customs declaration to the inspection and quarantine bureau for pricing procedures and obtain the customs clearance form. (If the goods require inspection)

03
On-site Handover Form
 

 

Customs on-site handover form (only if the goods require inspection).

04
Inspection
 

Customs will conduct an inspection based on the regulatory conditions of the declared goods description. If an inspection is required, an inspection notice will be issued (only if a customs inspection occurs).

05
Issuance of Duty Slip
 

Goods declaration refers to the import duties that customs will issue a tax bill for, requiring the enterprise to pay.

06
Release
 

Customs release.

 

03
 
What should be noted during the customs clearance process?

 

 
To prevent goods from being detained by the destination country's customs, you must declare them in accordance with local customs policies and requirements. This includes providing the item name, quantity, weight, declared value, and any certification documents required for special goods.

 

The main factors affecting customs clearance include: first, discrepancies in declared information, such as inconsistent declared value or product name, which can lead to goods being held. Additionally, special items like children's toys, cosmetics, and medical devices require corresponding supporting documents; otherwise, they will be detained.

 

 

04
 
What to Do If Your Goods Are Detained?

 

If your goods are detained by the destination country's customs, you need to identify the reason for the hold to resolve the issue. In practice, detentions typically result from incomplete, missing, or non-compliant customs declarations.
 
If the required documents are incomplete or the declaration is insufficient, simply provide the missing materials and pay any applicable duties as required.
 
If the goods are prohibited or otherwise restricted from import, the only option is to abandon them for destruction.
 
 
 

 

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（Article compiled by Sofreight.com, reproduction must credit the source. For more real-time updates and freight rate inquiries, please follow the Sofreight WeChat official account, visit our website sofreight.com, or use the Sofreight WeChat Mini Program.） 
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