Customs Clearance Delay: Causes & What To Do Next?

You check your tracking. It says “Clearance Delay.” A few hours later, the same message. Next day, same. If that is where you are right now, you are not alone. US Customs and Border Protection holds thousands of shipments every day, and most delays come down to a handful of fixable causes.

This guide covers what a customs clearance delay actually means, how long it usually lasts, the 10 most common reasons your shipment is stuck, and what you can do right now if your cargo has not moved in days. 

Artemus Transportation Solutions has helped US importers, customs brokers, and freight forwarders stay compliant since 1999 through ISF (Importer Security Filing), AMS (Automated Manifest System), and AES (Automated Export System) filing platforms, and most of the delays cause below trace back to filing errors we see every week.

Customs Clearance Delay Explained

A customs clearance delay happens when your shipment is held at a US port of entry beyond the normal clearance window. The top causes are incomplete paperwork, wrong HTS classification, unpaid duties, late ISF filing, and random or targeted CBP inspections. 

Most delays are cleared in 1 to 5 days once the problem is identified. Exams and regulatory holds can stretch to 2 to 4 weeks. The fastest path out is working with a licensed customs broker who can spot the issue and respond to CBP directly.

Know More About: What Happens After Custom Clearance Completed? 9 Next Steps

What Does A Customs Clearance Delay Mean?

A customs clearance delay means CBP has not yet released your shipment for onward delivery. Your cargo is sitting at the port, bonded warehouse, or carrier facility, waiting on a document, a payment, an inspection, or an answer from the importer. Until CBP clears the entry, the shipment cannot move. For a full breakdown of the process itself, see our guide on what customs clearance is.

The tracking status you see, “Clearance Delay,” “Clearance Delay – Import,” or “On Hold,” all point to the same thing. CBP or the carrier has flagged something that needs to be resolved before the cargo can proceed. The key question is what specifically triggered the hold, because that determines how long it takes to release.

Know More About: Late ISF Filing: What To Do If Missed The Deadline?

How Long Can A Customs Clearance Delay Last?

There is no fixed answer, but here is what the typical ranges look like based on what triggered the hold:

Type of Hold	Typical Duration	Why It Takes This Long
Routine clearance (no issues)	A few hours to 24 hours	CBP reviews the entry and releases the cargo on the first pass
Paperwork issue or minor discrepancy	2 to 5 business days	Importer or broker submits corrected documents, and CBP re-reviews
Document exam (CBP requests more info)	5 to 10 business days	CBP verifies the declared value, classification, or origin before release
Physical inspection (CET or intensive exam)	2 to 4 weeks	Cargo is moved to a CES for unloading, inspection, and reloading
Regulatory hold (FDA, USDA, EPA, CPSC, etc.)	1 to 6 weeks	Another agency must sign off before CBP can release

If your shipment has been stuck for more than 5 business days with no update, that usually means the issue is not just routine processing. Contact your customs broker or freight forwarder and ask for the specific CBP hold code. That one piece of information tells you exactly what to fix.

Know More About: How Long Does Customs Clearance Take? Key Takeaways

10 Reasons Your Shipment Is Stuck At US Customs

The same issues show up again and again. Here are the 10 most common causes for customs delay, and what each one actually means for your cargo.

1. Incomplete Or Inaccurate Paperwork

Missing invoice signatures, vague product descriptions like “goods” or “samples,” or mismatched quantities between the bill of lading and commercial invoice will flag your shipment instantly. This is the single biggest cause of customs delays.

2. Wrong HTS Classification

Using the wrong Harmonized Tariff Schedule code means the wrong duty rate. CBP holds the shipment until the classification is corrected, which can take days if the importer and broker have to research the right code.

3. Unpaid Or Underpaid Duties & Taxes

Duties, Merchandise Processing Fee, and Harbor Maintenance Fee all have to be paid before release. Undervaluation, where the declared value looks too low for the goods, is a common trigger for a full review.

4. Late Or Missing ISF Filing

The Importer Security Filing (the 10+2 rule) must be submitted at least 24 hours before the vessel loads at the foreign port. Late or missing ISF filings carry automatic penalties up to $5,000 per violation and are a guaranteed hold.

5. Missing Or Expired Customs Bond

Any formal entry over $2,500 needs an active customs bond. If the bond has lapsed or the single-entry bond was not posted, the shipment will not move.

6. Restricted Or Regulated Goods Without Permits

Food, drugs, cosmetics, electronics, and certain chemicals need approval from the FDA, EPA, FCC, or other agencies. Without those permits on file, CBP holds the shipment even if your customs paperwork is perfect.

7. Random Or Targeted CBP Exam

CBP uses risk-based targeting to flag shipments for document review or physical inspection. Even a clean importer gets selected. Intensive exams, where containers are unloaded at a Centralized Examination Station, are the longest.

8. Mismatched Importer Or Broker Information

If the EIN or CBP-Assigned Number on the entry does not match the importer on file, or if the broker’s Power of Attorney is missing, CBP rejects the filing. The broker has to resubmit before clearance can proceed.

9. Port Congestion Or Seasonal Volume

Peak holiday season, port strikes, weather events, or staff shortages at major ports (LA/Long Beach, NY/NJ, Savannah) slow down processing for everyone, even shipments with no issues.

10. AMS Filing Errors From The Carrier

The Automated Manifest System filing comes from the carrier, not the importer. If the carrier files late, mismatches data, or skips the filing entirely, the entire shipment is delayed at arrival.

Know More About: What Is Customs Clearance? Meaning & Regulations

2025 Update: Why Metals & Tariff-Driven Delays Are Surging?

Since August 2025, the US has scrapped the $800 de minimis rule, meaning every commercial shipment now needs a full customs entry. Add the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, and inspection lines at major ports are longer than they have been in years.

Know More About: What Is Import Compliance & Why It Matters?

What To Do Right Now If Your Package Is Held?

If your shipment has been sitting on “Clearance Delay” for more than 2 or 3 days, here is the tactical sequence that works best.

Step 1. Get The Exact Hold Reason

Call your customs broker or freight forwarder and ask for the CBP hold code or reason. Generic tracking language does not tell you anything useful. The hold code does.

Step 2. Check Your Paperwork

Pull out the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and ISF confirmation. Look for mismatches in quantity, value, description, or consignee name. Fix anything inconsistent.

Step 3. Confirm Duties And Fees Are Paid

Your broker can tell you if the entry is paid, including MPF and any applicable tariffs. If payment is pending, that is usually a 24-hour fix.

Step 4. Respond To CBP Requests Immediately

If CBP has sent a CF-28 (Request for Information) or CF-29 (Notice of Action), respond within the stated deadline, usually 30 days. Waiting makes the hold longer and can lead to penalties.

Step 5. Escalate With A Licensed Customs Broker

If the issue is still not clear after 5 business days, get a licensed broker involved if you are not already working with one. Brokers talk to CBP directly and can resolve holds faster than any importer working alone.

Know More About: 5 Types Of ISF Penalty & Fines To Know To Avoid Losses

How To Prevent Customs Clearance Delays?

Most delays are preventable. Here are the habits that keep shipments moving.

1. File ISF On Time, Every Time

Submit Importer Security Filings at least 24 hours before the vessel loads. Automate this with reliable filing software so a human error does not cost you $5,000 and a 2-week hold.

2. Get The HTS Code Right Before You Ship

If you are not sure of the correct classification, ask your broker for a pre-classification review. A wrong code is far more expensive than the hour it takes to verify it.

3. Keep Documentation Consistent Across Every Form

The commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading should all show the same quantity, value, description, consignee, and country of origin. Any discrepancy is an invitation for CBP to dig deeper.

4. Keep Your Customs Bond Active

For regular importers, a continuous bond is cheaper and safer than single-entry bonds. Make sure the bond amount is large enough for your expected annual duty exposure.

5. Build A Clean Compliance History

CBP uses historical data in its targeting system. Importers with a clean track record on import compliance get flagged less often than importers with past errors. Consistency pays off over time.

Know More About: ISF Filing Process: A Step-By-Step Guide For USA Shipments

Role Of Your Customs Broker And Importer Of Record

A licensed customs broker is the importer’s direct line to CBP. They file the entry, handle duty payments, respond to exam requests, and fix problems before they turn into delays. The Importer of Record (IOR) is the party legally responsible to CBP for the shipment. 

If there is a penalty, the IOR pays it. A good broker and a clear IOR relationship prevent most of the delays in this post. If you are deciding whether your broker should also act as your IOR, read our guide on whether a customs broker can be the importer of record.

How Artemus Simplifies USA Customs Compliance Seamlessly

Most customs clearance delays trace back to a small handful of filing errors. Artemus Transportation Solutions builds trade compliance software that removes those errors before they reach CBP.

Our ISF 10+2 web application has been in operation since 2008 and lets importers, freight forwarders, and NVOCCs file on time with automated data checks that catch mismatches before submission. Our AMS software handles electronic manifest filings for carriers meeting the 24-hour rule, covering ocean, air, and rail. And our AES filing platform manages Electronic Export Information submissions for US exporters.

Licensed customs brokers use our Customs Broker Software to manage filings and compliance across their entire client book. For non-resident companies importing into the US, our Importer of Record Profile service handles the full onboarding, including CBP Form 5106, Customs-Assigned Number applications, and continuous bond setup. Accurate filings, submitted on time, are the single biggest lever you have against customs delays.

Know More About: AMS Fee In Shipping: Overview & 5 Key Considerations

FAQs

1. What Does A Customs Clearance Delay Mean?

It means CBP has not released your shipment for delivery. The cargo is sitting at a port, warehouse, or carrier facility until the issue (missing paperwork, unpaid duties, exam, or permit) is resolved.

2. How Long Can US Customs Hold My Package?

There is no legal maximum. A routine hold clears in a day. A paperwork fix takes 2 to 5 days. A physical exam can take 2 to 4 weeks. Regulatory holds from another agency can stretch past 6 weeks.

3. Why Is My Package Stuck In Customs Clearance?

Usually one of three reasons: incomplete paperwork, unpaid duties, or a CBP inspection. Your customs broker can pull the exact hold code and tell you which one applies.

4. Can I Speed Up Customs Clearance?

Yes, but only by fixing whatever triggered the hold. Make sure all documents match, duties are paid, and any CBP or other agency requests are answered promptly. A licensed broker speeds up every step of that process.

5. What Is The Difference Between A Customs Delay And A Customs Hold?

In practice, they mean the same thing: CBP has not released the shipment. “Hold” is the formal CBP term; “delay” is what you usually see in carrier tracking. Either way, something needs to be resolved before the cargo moves.

6. Who Is Responsible For Customs Clearance Delays?

Legally, the Importer of Record is responsible to CBP for the entry and any penalties. Practically, the delay is usually caused by the party that submitted incorrect data, whether that is the shipper, the importer, the broker, or the carrier. Fixing the source of the error is what gets the cargo released.

7. What Happens If Customs Clearance Is Never Completed?

After a long period of non-response (typically 15 to 30 days depending on circumstances), CBP can move the cargo to a General Order warehouse, charge storage fees, and eventually sell or destroy it. Acting within the first week is always the cheaper option.

Conclusion

Most customs clearance delays are not random bad luck. They trace back to a paperwork error, a late filing, a missed payment, or a classification issue, and almost every one of those is preventable. The importers who rarely face holds are not special, they just file clean, respond fast, and work with brokers who know how CBP thinks.

If your shipment is stuck right now, get the CBP hold reason from your broker, check your paperwork for mismatches, and confirm duties are paid. If nothing clears in 5 business days, escalate. And going forward, tighten your ISF, AMS, and entry filings so you spend less time explaining delays to customers and more time moving product.

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