If you have an international package from AliExpress, one of the most common tracking statuses you can see is, “Import customs clearance delay.”
If your package is stuck on that status for days, don’t worry as we will look into the full details.
What Does Import Customs Clearance Delay Mean On AliExpress?
This AliExpress tracking status means that a package is already in the destination country, but it’s taking longer than expected for customs to process it.
After customs work on your package later on, the status switches to Import Customs Clearance Completed.
Why Is My Package Stuck On Import Customs Clearance Delay For Days?
The Package Requires Further Inspection
While customs mostly inspect packages through X-ray processes, some packages require further inspection to look into whether they are allowed into the country.
I have had instances where my keychains, pins, and some medical tools were kept aside for further inspection.
The problem is when you have multiple items from different AliExpress sellers. If all those were bundled together, it could take longer for customs to get into it and do the inspection for all the contents.
Packages stay longer under this status during peak times such as around Black Fridays, 11.11, Christmas, and New Year due to packages that require further inspection getting bundled together to be handled later on.
It’s crucial to remember that packages with batteries will mostly need further inspection. If yours falls under this category, prepare to wait a little bit longer until they confirm that the Lithium battery isn’t past the legal mAh capacity.
Backlogs
One might think that it is a simple and fast process to X-ray packages before they get into the country, but the problem is that there are millions of such items to be processed.
Due to few customs staff compared to the number of packages in peak importing times, backed-up facilities are the order of the day.
If your package reaches the customs office today and new shipments come in, they get heaped together, making yours among those that will be cleared later on.
When several days pass without the customs staff working on your package, AliExpress will tell you “Import customs clearance delay.”
More Documentation Is Required
Depending on your country, it could be that customs has to detain your package until you provide more documentation.
Does your package miss a simple CN22 Form? It could be one of the reasons why it takes longer for the status to move.
The problem at this point is that customs might fail to reach out to the recipient or sender right away to ask for the missing documentation, which could lead to further delays.
If customs doesn’t get the required documentation after they ask for it, AliExpress will change the tracking status to Failed To Clear At Import Customs.
What Do I Do When My Package Is Stuck On Import Customs Clearance Delay?
Be More Patient
Since no one has control over how fast customs processes packages, we recommend that you be more patient while your package is still there.
While AliExpress might say that there is a clearance delay in the import customs, the matter usually gets settled in a few days, especially if it has something to do with further inspection.
Contact The Seller
Since the seller is responsible for ensuring that you receive your package in good time, we recommend that you contact them whenever your package is stuck on this status.
By so doing, they will get in touch with AliExpress, which would in turn reach out to customs and see if they can release the package faster. If not, you can agree with the seller to send you a replacement package as they work with AliExpress and get a return.
File A Claim
If the tracking automatically confirms that your package was delivered (typically between 60 and 90 days depending on your country) and the package is still stuck on “import customs clearance delay,” we recommend that you file a claim.
Depending on the value of your package, AliExpress can ask for proof that you didn’t receive the package.
Such evidence mostly includes you sending them proof showing what the tracking page currently shows.
Upon providing evidence that the package is indeed stuck in customs, AliExpress will refund you.
