A lot of people want to import goods either to try out a sample first or for their personal use. The international couriers commonly used for this type of importation are DHL, FedEx, EMS, and UPS. However, at times, shipments get stuck or are held in Customs due to various reasons. As an importer, it is important to know what steps to take if your shipment becomes stuck or held during customs clearance with DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Here are some tips for dealing with a stuck or held shipment.
Contact the service provider to know the reason why the shipment is stuck.
As an importer, you should always check the status of your shipment. International couriers provide tracking information to the importer, allowing them to monitor the status of their shipment through an online tracking system. Once you know that your shipment is being stuck or held, kindly contact the service provider to know why the shipment is being stuck or held.
Possible reasons why the shipment is being stuck
Shipment value is above de minimis - The shipment's value exceeds the de minimis amount of Php 10,000, so the client is required to pay the duties and taxes for the shipment.
Consignee is a company without an import permit - The consignee indicated in the airway bill is a company that is not an accredited importer.
If your shipment is considered a regulated importation, check for interagency permits needed - The shipment is considered a regulated importation and requires interagency permits. Permits vary depending on the description of the items being shipped.
Sample of Permits:
For Plants & Plant Products - Sanitary & Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
For Food, Cosmetics, Medicines - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate, Certificate of Product Registration (CPR), FDA Certification / Notification / Clearance (for those not requiring LTO and/or CPR), Certificate of Analysis (if applicable).
For Laptops, Tablets, Phones - License to Import from National Telecommunications Commission, Optical Media Board.
Note: This list is non-exhaustive. Please check via the PNTR website or contact us at info@eamcb.com for more assistance.
Request for a Quote from a Licensed Customs Broker
Find a customs brokerage company to nominate as your licensed customs broker and request a customs clearance quotation. EAM Customs Brokerage assists in releasing shipments from DHL, UPS, EMS, and FedEx.
How to get a quotation from EAM Customs Brokerage
First, please ensure that you have the commercial invoice, packing list, and proof of payment from your supplier. Additionally, the airway bill or tracking number must be obtained from the service provider.
Second, once the documents are available, please send them to us for review and also to check the status of your shipment.
Third, our licensed customs broker will provide a quote for the release of your shipment, subject to your approval.
If you have any questions or clarifications about the quotation, please message us so we can discuss it. We are open to a Zoom or face-to-face meeting for discussion.
Last, once you have approved our quotation, you can nominate us as your licensed customs broker to facilitate the release of your shipment.
Comply with other requirements and pay for the corresponding fees.
Aside from the packing list, commercial invoice, and airway bill, importers must also comply with other requirements, such as the lifting of abandonment, storage charges, and additional customs duties and taxes if applicable.
Other requirements to be complied with by the importer
Lifting of Abandonment - this needs to be complied with if the importer fails to pay in full the assessed duties, taxes, fees interests and other charges within fifteen (15) calendar days from the when the shipment arrived in the Philippine Bureau of Customs. The shipment will be tagged as "Abandoned" after fifteen (15) calendar days.
Storage Charge - this needs to be paid by the importer once the shipment has been abandoned by the service provider. The storage charge varies depending on the storage time, weight of the goods and storage space.
Customs duties and taxes - It is the tax imposed on items imported from other countries. When the shipment is held, the importer must pay duties and taxes calculated by the service provider.
Recommendation to prevent your shipment from getting stuck at Customs.
There are ways to prevent a shipment from being held up at Customs. Here is a recommendation:
Please ensure to get in touch with us before purchasing from your supplier so that we can guide you with the processes, costs and requirements before you import.
Importation should be trouble-free for anyone starting a business, or wanting to try products from other countries. Sometimes, shipments can get stuck or held in customs for various reasons, which can increase your import costs and cause additional delays. In such situations, it is important to know what to do.
EAM Customs Brokerage is available to assist small businesses and individuals who wish to import without the fear of shipments getting stuck in customs. We provide recommendations to clients to ensure a smooth importation process that is within their budget range. Contact EAM Customs Brokerage for hassle-free importation and fast customs clearance.
You can connect with us via:
✅ Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EAMCustomsBrokerage
🌎 Visit our website: www.eamcb.com
📲 Chat us on Whatsapp / Viber / Mobile: +63 917 848 9789 / +63 962 928 4517
📍 EAM Customs Brokerage, Unit 212, Manila Executive Regency, J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila, Philippines.
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