While expecting an international package from AliExpress, one of the most common tracking statuses you can see is, “Import customs clearance complete.”
If you are wondering what that means and why your package is stuck on that update, this is the guide for you.
What Does, “Import Customs Clearance Complete” Mean?
This AliExpress tracking status means that the customs office in the destination country is through with clearing the imported package, and it can proceed with its journey toward delivery.
Why Is My AliExpress Package Stuck On, “Import Customs Clearance Complete?”
The Package Is Being Held Until You Pay For Customs Tax
While AliExpress says that the import customs process is complete, it could be that there are some pending import duties you have to pay before such a package gets handed over to the local courier company in your country.
Under most circumstances, customs usually sends an email alerting you of any taxes to pay before the package can be allowed in the country.
If not and several days pass without an update, we recommend that you contact your local customs office and ask about the status of your package. From there, you can know if the delay is a result of pending taxes.
The Tracking Number Changed
Sometimes, package tracking numbers get changed when they reach the destination countries, especially after getting handed over to the last-mile carriers.
Under most circumstances, AliExpress doesn’t update the new tracking number, which could make the recipient think that their package isn’t moving as expected.
If it has taken a couple of days before you see any update on the tracking page, we recommend that you get in touch with the national package carrier in your country and see if they have the package.
Again, you can use third-party tracking sites to know the last-mile carrier given the mandate to deliver your package by AliExpress.
Also Read: What Does Failed To Clear At Import Customs Mean?
The Package Is In A Heap Awaiting Picking
Depending on the time of the year it is, your package might be stuck on this status just because it’s far in the queue before getting picked up by the local delivery company.
We noticed that packages that get to customs around Black Friday, Christmas, or the New Year stay stuck on this update for long.
See, there are tons of packages to be sorted and loaded onto last-mile delivery companies before any new scan can be made.
Again, when new packages get cleared from customs, they get heaped to the backlogged ones, which means movement can be a problem at that point.
It could end up taking a week or more before your package can get space in a local delivery company vehicle.
Missed Scan
The AliExpress tracking system can easily get bugged during peak delivery times, which could explain why it’s not updating as expected.
Missed scans mean that you won’t see anything new, and depending on the cause of such bugs and how long it’ll take to correct, it could take longer.
We had had incidents where packages ended up getting delivered when the tracking page still showed the import customs clearance process was complete.
What Do I Do If My Package Is Stuck On “Import Customs Clearance Complete?”
Re-track The Package
AliExpress doesn’t offer the finest details whenever a package makes all the steps on its way.
Whenever your package is stuck on this status, we recommend that you use free Third-party tracking sites such as Parcelsapp and 17Track to find the right status.
Such sites can reveal that the package has already been handed over to the local national carrier in your country.
Again, you could find that there are pending duties that have to be paid, and your package is sitting somewhere in the customs office.
In another scenario, such sites can show you if the tracking number changed, something that AliExpress doesn’t show.
Contact The Seller
If it’s past the estimated delivery date and your package is still stuck on “Import customs clearance complete,” we find contacting the seller to be a great idea.
Of course, we recommend taking this course of action after re-tracking the package and noticing that it’s just sitting in the customs office without anything needing to be done from you – the recipient.
From there, you can agree with the seller to send you a replacement package with the hope that it will get to you in good time, or ask for a refund if you no longer need such a package anymore.
File A Dispute
If getting in touch with the seller didn’t help for whatever reason, we recommend that you file a dispute.
However, you will have to wait until the AliExpress tracking system automatically confirms the delivery. (Happens between 60 to 90 days).
You can find these details in the order details. From there, file a dispute for non-delivery.
Depending on the value of your package, AliExpress can ask for proof that you didn’t receive the package.
Send them screenshots of what the Third-party tracking sites showed you, what the local delivery company told you after asking if they have your package, and the AliExpress tracking screenshot showing the status stuck on “Import customs clearance complete.”
Upon providing this evidence that you never received the package, AliExpress will seamlessly refund you.
Also Read: AliExpress Says Import Customs Clearance Delay Meaning
