Which countries are most likely to hold parcels at customs?

In our experience, the US is the destination where shipments most often require action from the recipient. Express services deliver in 1-3 business days, but when delivery is delayed, the time is usually lost after arrival: the carrier asks for a clearer description, supporting documents, a licence or payment of import charges.

For years, shippers relied on the de minimis rule: commercial goods worth up to USD 800 often entered duty-free under a simplified process. On 29 August 2025, the US suspended that exemption for shipments from all countries, and the suspension has been extended indefinitely. A low value alone no longer guarantees clearance without further questions.

A parcel may be held if the description is too vague, the country of origin is wrong or the importer lacks a required licence. Cosmetics, food, supplements, medicines, medical devices, plants and seeds can all be subject to additional rules.

The carrier emails or calls the recipient. The message is mistaken for spam, the call goes unanswered, or the recipient was not expecting any charges. The parcel stays at the depot even though one reply might resolve the issue.

In Turkey, the process can become more complicated at an earlier stage. Under the current FedEx rules, parcels addressed to private individuals require customs clearance regardless of value. The recipient may need to appoint an independent customs broker, provide documents and cover the additional costs.

Checking that an item may be imported is only the first step. Find out whether the recipient is willing to handle the clearance and what it could cost. For a small personal shipment, the broker fees may exceed the value of the contents.

If the recipient will not appoint a broker or pay the charges, the parcel may be returned. The return cost usually falls to the sender.

In Brazil, an international shipment must be linked to a tax ID of the recipient. A private individual needs a valid CPF; a company needs a CNPJ. The name on the waybill must match the registered details. The Brazilian tax authority warns that a mismatch between the CPF and the name can result in a return.

Before shipping, check the CPF or CNPJ, full name, mobile number and email address. The recipient should monitor messages from the carrier and pay any taxes assessed.

Brazil has an accelerated Remessa Conforme process for certified online retailers. Shipments outside that programme follow the standard process and require more attention from the recipient.

For a parcel to India, the carrier will request KYC documents: proof of identity and proof of address for the recipient. This applies to both individuals and companies, regardless of shipment value.

A common problem is that the address on the parcel does not match the address on the identity document. The recipient may then need to provide a bank statement, utility bill, tenancy agreement or another document showing the delivery address. The parcel cannot be released until the carrier has verified the documents.

Enter the name exactly as it appears on the identity document and warn the recipient about KYC before the parcel arrives. For a company, check in advance which registration and banking details the carrier will request.

Australia and New Zealand closely inspect anything that could introduce pests or disease: food, seeds, plants, wood, straw, soil, honey, meat and other animal or plant products.

Such goods may be inspected, treated or destroyed, and the recipient may need a permit. A wooden souvenir, a packet of seeds or a jar of honey can therefore cause more difficulty than accurately described electronics.

Check the item in the official database of the destination country before packing. If no special requirement applies and the contents are described accurately, everyday goods such as clothing and documents usually cause no difficulty.