Parcel Held at Customs: What to Do? A Guide from BPD Express
The status “Held by Customs” is one of the most stressful for any recipient. Questions come up immediately: “What’s wrong?”, “Will the parcel be confiscated?”, “How long will this take?”. The key is not to panic. In most cases, the issue is solvable if you act correctly. With 30 years of experience, BPD Express has helped thousands of customers through customs clearance and knows how to handle even complex cases.
“A customs delay is not a verdict—it’s a standard verification procedure. 95% of all delays are resolved within a few days once the required documents are provided,” reassure BPD Express experts.
Why a Parcel Can Be Held: 5 Key Reasons
Customs is a government control barrier that inspects all incoming international shipments. A delay simply means the inspector needs additional information or checks.
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Errors in the customs declaration
The most common reason. Incorrect item description, missing data, or the wrong HS/TN VED code. -
Exceeding duty-free limits
If the parcel’s value or weight exceeds the established limits for your country.
Important for 2026: In Russia and EAEU countries, the limit is €200 and 31 kg per individual parcel. The number of parcels per month is not limited—you can order as often as you like, as long as each separate shipment fits within these limits. If the limit is exceeded, customs duty payment will be required.
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Suspicion of a commercial shipment
If the parcel contains many identical items (for example, 10 identical T-shirts), customs may treat it as a commercial batch, which requires different paperwork. -
Prohibited or restricted items
Alcohol, weapons, and certain types of electronics can cause a delay—or even confiscation.
Special attention: electronics and restrictions. If the delay is caused by items that are strictly prohibited for shipment under BPD Express rules (for example, smartphones, tablets, drones, or auto parts), the clearance process becomes significantly more complicated. In such cases, customs may not simply hold the parcel, but refuse release entirely without the option to correct documents—leading to confiscation or an expensive return to the sender in Germany.
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Random inspection
Customs has the right to select any parcel for inspection, even if all documents are in order.
How Long Can Customs Inspection Take?
Timing depends on the reason for the delay and the workload of the customs post:
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Standard check (document request): 2–4 business days after they receive your documents
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Physical inspection (opening the parcel): 5–10 business days
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Expert assessment (complex items): up to 30 days or more
Expert note: BPD Express operates under the international ITMATT (International Tax and Mail Tracking) protocol. This means that even before the truck crosses the border, the customs officer can already see your electronic declaration. In 2026, this allows 90% of our parcels to cross “seamlessly” within minutes. If a manual hold occurs, our system will notify you immediately via your account dashboard or your manager.
Step-by-Step Action Plan: What to Do if Your Parcel Is Held
Step 1: Check the status and wait for the official notification
First, carefully read the tracking status. If it says “Awaiting documents,” you will soon receive an official request (via SMS, email, or in the postal service’s personal account area).
Step 2: Contact your BPD Express manager immediately
Do not try to call customs yourself. Your primary support is your BPD Express manager. As soon as you see the customs hold status, message them right away. Our specialists have experience communicating with customs authorities and will help you prepare the correct response.
Step 3: Prepare the required documents
Most often, customs requests documents confirming the value and contents of the parcel.
Standard document package:
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A copy of the recipient’s passport (main page and registration/address page)
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Invoice/order confirmation from the online store showing purchase and item value
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Bank statement confirming payment for that specific purchase
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A short written statement (free form) confirming the goods are for personal use
Step 4: Send the documents
Once ready, send the documents to your BPD Express manager. They will verify the formatting and submit everything to customs. This significantly speeds up the process because we have direct communication channels with customs.
Tip: Send documents in PDF to avoid readability issues. Make sure all details are clearly visible.
Step 5: Track updates
After you submit the documents, keep tracking your parcel. Typically, within 2–4 business days the status changes to “Customs clearance completed.” If it doesn’t, contact your manager to уточнить the situation.
What If You Need to Pay Customs Duty?
If your parcel’s value or weight exceeds the duty-free limits, you will receive a notification to pay customs duty. In Russia, this is €200 and 31 kg per parcel.
How duty is calculated in 2026
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15% of the amount exceeding the limit (€200), but not less than €2 per each extra kilogram
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A fixed customs processing fee is always added (in Russia, it is 500 RUB)
Example: You ordered goods worth €260.
Excess: 260 − 200 = €60
Duty (15%): 60 × 0.15 = €9
Total payable: €9 + customs fee (500 RUB)
You can pay the duty online via the postal service’s personal account or at the post office when receiving the parcel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my parcel held at customs?
Most common reasons: declaration errors, exceeding limits, suspicion of a commercial batch, prohibited items, or random inspection.
How long can customs inspection take?
From 2–4 days (document request) to 10–30 days (physical inspection or expert assessment). On average, most cases are resolved within a week.
What documents can be requested?
Most often: passport copy, store invoice, bank statement, and a personal-use statement.
How quickly should I provide documents after the hold?
We recommend sending invoices and bank statements to your BPD Express manager within 24–48 hours. Customs warehouses have limited free storage time. The faster the inspector receives the documents, the higher the chance of release without additional storage fees.
How can I speed up customs clearance?
The best way is to avoid slowing it down: fill out the declaration honestly and accurately, stay within limits, and do not ship prohibited items. If a hold occurs, provide all requested documents as quickly as possible.
When do you need a customs broker?
In 99% of cases for private parcels, a broker is not required. Your BPD Express manager fully supports the process. However, a broker may be needed if:
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You are importing a very expensive item requiring complex declaration (e.g., artwork)
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Your parcel was incorrectly classified as a commercial shipment and you want to challenge the decision
In such rare cases, we can also recommend trusted broker partners.
Conclusion: BPD Express Is Your Customs Support Partner
A customs hold is a standard situation that is usually resolved quickly and smoothly with the right approach. The most important thing is not to panic and to act together with professionals.
The BPD Express team is always available to help you understand customs requirements, prepare documents correctly, and speed up the release of your parcel. We handle communication with customs authorities so you save time and avoid unnecessary stress.