How to recover a package detained at customs?

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How to recover a package detained at customs? Many times when we are going to receive a shipment and we are not well informed about the legal and customs conditions of the destination country, it may be the case that our package is detained at the borders of said nation. Of course, these tedious situations can be prevented. However, perhaps on this occasion you have not taken into account the restrictions and rules of the place when making a shipment. If the estimated time has already passed and it is still time for it to arrive, it is very likely that it has been detained at customs. But do not worry. Although we cannot say that the process to release it will not be cumbersome, it is something that has a solution . In this article you will be able to find out the causes of your package being detained, how to recover a package detained at customs and how much it will cost you to do so.

Why is my package being held? Shipping status

There are various reasons why your package may be detained at customs. Each country has its restrictions when it comes to allowing goods to enter. In the case of the United States, everything that is sent goes through an inspection procedure where the documentation and contents of the package are evaluated. Generally, large packages tend to take a little longer to process. The reason is that more content needs to be checked and the documentation is usually more extensive. In fact, some errors made in the latter may be the cause of it being detained at customs. In this sense, if it is confirmed that any information related to the sender or recipient, or the products, does not match its content or has any ambiguity , it is possible that the merchandise will be retained. Likewise, similar errors on the commercial invoice , the Food & Drug Administration's prior notification in the event that you are sending or receiving food, the packing list and/or the customs manifest, will have a similar consequence. In addition, the same thing will happen if you try to send any of the prohibited products :

  • Products for animals.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Unactivated bank cards.
  • Blank checks.
  • Medicines.
  • Rugs.
  • Chemical products.
  • Tobacco.
  • Vegetable products.
  • Firearms.
  • Ivory.
  • Floors.
  • Artworks.
  • Asbestos.
  • Glasses and contact lenses.

How long can it be held?

In principle, if your goods are detained at customs, it will take approximately 45 days until the Border Protection Office sends you an email with the reasons for the detention. Although you can predict this in advance if you check the package number using the online tracker of the shipping agency you hired. Generally there are no major difficulties and it does not take long for your package to be released. You just have to follow the instructions that will be sent to you and you will soon be able to recover your merchandise.

Steps to release the held package

  1. The first thing you should do is wait for an email from the Border Protection Office to arrive . In reality, if you have not received a message from this organization, it is likely that your order is not detained in United States customs. In any case, it could be in another country. To confirm, use the shipping company's tracker.
  2. If you have received the email, follow the instructions specified in it. The steps to follow will vary depending on the reason why your package was held.

What do I do if a package is detained at customs?

When a package is detained at customs, they usually send you a statement from one of the contacts listed in the attached documentation. In any case, if you discover beforehand through the shipping company's tracker that your merchandise has been detained, then you can contact the border office of the country in question. Once you do, they will tell you the procedures you must follow to recover your package. Keep in mind that in each country the steps usually vary .

How much does it cost to release a package?

Customs taxes vary from country to country . To find out how much it will cost you to release your package, you need to contact directly the customs office of the country where your merchandise was detained.

What happens if a package is not released on time?

All customs have an established deadline to release detained merchandise. This varies in each country. For example, in Spain they give you a maximum of 15 days to complete the release steps. In the case of Mexico, this extends for 30 days , although it all depends on the time of year. But in general, if you do not comply with the procedure within the set time limit, then they will return the package to the sender.