How to Avoid Customs Holds When Shipping From China to the USA
- Verified & Reviewed · Last updated January 2026
Customs holds are rarely random. They happen when CBP can’t quickly verify your product details, declared value, HS or HTS classification, duty status, or compliance requirements for shipments to the USA.
This 2026 guide shows how to prevent customs delays with a repeatable clearance workflow: clean commercial invoices, consistent packing lists and bills of lading, correct 10-digit HTS codes, on-time ISF for ocean freight, and expert support from a licensed customs broker or experienced freight forwarder.
Documents & HS/HTS
ISF & Duty
Restricted Goods & Compliance
- Experienced China-based logistics specialists
Table of Contents
Quick answers: what prevents most customs holds
What to do every shipment
Issue a 100 percent accurate commercial invoice with clear line items and correct 10-digit HTS code for each product
Match the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading line by line
Declare the true transaction value and keep payment proof ready
Pay import duties and duties and taxes on time so release is not blocked
File ISF correctly and on time for ocean freight, usually at least 24 hours before loading
Screen for restricted goods and requirements from government agencies before shipping
Use a licensed customs broker and an experienced freight forwarder
Customs Hold Triggers and Fast Fixes
| Trigger | Fast fix |
|---|---|
| Missing or incomplete commercial invoice | Add importer ID, shipper/receiver phone + email, unit value, currency |
| Vague item description | Rewrite as Product + function + material + spec + model |
| HS/HTS code mismatch | Confirm 10-digit HTS with a customs broker and update all documents |
| Value looks too low | Provide PO + payment p |
| Unpaid duties and taxes | Pay duties promptly, confirm importer of record and bond readiness |
| Ocean freight ISF late or wrong | Correct ISF and align seller, stuffing location, and HTS codes |
If you standardize these fixes as a checklist before shipping, you can prevent most customs delays and keep the customs clearance process predictable.
What a customs hold means in the U.S. customs clearance process
A hold is a pause during the customs clearance workflow. Customs authorities and customs officers place holds when the entry data does not verify cleanly under customs regulations, import regulations, and international trade laws.
Common hold types
Document hold: missing or inconsistent required documentation
Duty payment hold: duties not paid, bond issues, unclear importer information
Compliance hold: regulated products need extra proof, permits, or agency filings
Exam selection: inspection based on risk signals or random selection by border protection
How long a hold can last
A clean correction can clear in hours. A documentation rebuild or exam can take a few days or longer, depending on the issue and how fast you respond.
2026 enforcement signals: where scrutiny is higher
In 2026, many importers are seeing tighter checks tied to forced labor enforcement and origin verification. Shipments in higher-risk supply chains, including goods linked to caustic soda, copper, red dates, lithium-related products, and steel, may face more document requests or exams. Low-value shipment enforcement may also change, so treat even small parcels as formal-entry quality with complete commercial invoices and consistent paperwork. For the latest requirements, confirm entry and documentation rules with a licensed customs broker before you ship.
What this changes for importers
More document requests for supplier traceability and country of origin
More value checks and classification questions
Faster release for shippers with consistent data, complete descriptions, and duty readiness
Stop Customs Holds by Aligning Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Ladinga
Most clearance issues come from inconsistency across the file. Your goal is to make every document tell the same story.
The fields that must match across all essential documents
Shipper and receiver details including phone and email
Product name and complete description of each item
Quantity and units of measure
Unit value, total value, currency
Country of origin
HS code and HTS code per line
Incoterms, payment terms, importer identification details
A fast consistency check before shipping
Do a three-column review:
commercial invoice line items
packing list line items and totals
bill of lading shipper and consignee fields
If anything differs, fix it before departure.
Commercial invoice: the #1 driver of smooth customs clearance
A commercial invoice is required for cross-border shipping and is used by customs officials to assess customs duties, import duties, and duties and taxes. Incomplete documentation is the primary cause of holds, and missing invoice details are a guaranteed way to trigger delay.
What your commercial invoice must include
Shipper name, address, phone, email
Consignee and importer name, full address, phone, email
Importer identification number when required
Clear item-by-item breakdown
Quantity, unit price, total, currency
True transaction value and payment terms
Country of origin for each item
Correct 10-digit HTS code for each item line
Incoterms and named place
Any required reference numbers for regulated goods
Description standard that reduces customs delays
Use this format for every line: Product + function + material + key spec + model
Examples:
Shot blasting machine, surface cleaning equipment, steel body, 380V, model SB-1200
Steel bolts, fasteners, carbon steel, grade 8.8, size M10
Copper cable, electrical conductor, 99.9 percent copper, 10mm, model CC-10
Generic labels like parts or accessories cause delays because US customs cannot verify the shipment’s contents quickly.
Write customs-ready item descriptions
Use this line-item format on your commercial invoice to reduce customs delays: Product + function + material + key spec + model. Avoid generic labels like parts or accessories unless you specify exactly what the item is and how it is used. Clear descriptions make HS or HTS classification and value checks faster, which lowers the risk of a customs hold.
Packing list and bill of lading: avoid mismatch traps
Most customs holds come from document mismatch. Your packing list, bill of lading, and entry data must match on names, counts, weights, and references.
Packing list must show
Carton count and packaging type
Net and gross weight
Dimensions and volume
Marks and carton numbers
Totals that reconcile to the invoice
Bill of lading must align with
Shipper and consignee names exactly as used for entry
Consignee address details used by the broker
For ocean freight, container numbers and seal numbers
Reference numbers that match your shipping documents
If anything differs, fix it before departure to avoid customs delays.
HS code and HTS classification control to prevent misclassification
Every product imported must be classified under a harmonized system. The correct HS code and Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification are essential for correct duties and for avoiding penalties.
A practical HS code workflow
Collect product facts: material, function, use, specs
Propose HS code logic based on facts
Validate the classification with a licensed customs broker
Lock HS codes for repeat SKUs and reuse them consistently
Red flags that trigger clearance issues
HS code changes for the same product across shipments
Description does not match HS logic
Using generic HS codes for mixed goods without clear line separation
Misclassification can cause holds, duty changes, and penalties.
True transaction value: avoid undervaluation penalties and seizures
Declaring the true transaction value is essential. Undervaluation to avoid duties can escalate into seizures and severe penalties. Even when goods are legitimate, a value that looks unrealistic can trigger a document request and delay.
Keep a value proof folder ready
Purchase order
Sales contract or order confirmation
Payment record such as bank slip or remittance advice
Quotation history
Product catalog, spec sheet, and pricing explanation
Common value mistakes
Deep discounts with no written explanation
Missing cost components that should be included in value
Unit price that conflicts with the market for that product type
A strong proof folder helps you respond quickly and clear customs faster.
Duties and taxes: prevent holds caused by unpaid duties
Many holds are purely payment-related. Even perfect paperwork can stall if duties are not paid or importer details are incomplete.
What to confirm before shipping
Who will pay import duties and duties and taxes
Importer of record details and bond readiness
Correct duties calculation logic based on HTS classification and value
Payment method and timing so there are no unpaid duties
Why this matters for shipping costs
Holds can create extra shipping costs such as storage, exam handling, and truck re-appointments. If you exceed free days, charges can rise quickly.
Ocean freight ISF: the 24-hour rule many importers miss
For ocean freight, ISF must be filed correctly and on time, typically at least 24 hours before loading. Late or inaccurate filing increases exam risk and can lead to customs delays.
ISF data you must collect early
Seller and buyer
Manufacturer or supplier
Ship-to party
Consolidator when applicable
Container stuffing location
HTS codes and item details
How an experienced freight forwarder reduces ISF risk
An experienced freight forwarder controls the document flow, collects accurate supplier data early, and helps the customs broker file without last-minute guessing.
Restricted goods and government agencies
Customs holds often happen because goods are restricted, regulated, or prohibited, or because required documentation is missing.
FDA-regulated items and Prior Notice
Certain goods require additional documentation to avoid customs delays, such as FDA steps for food and beverages. For FDA-regulated items, a Prior Notice must be filed before shipment arrival. Many shippers also keep the PNSI number in the shipment file and can include it on the commercial invoice to speed coordination if questions arise.
Country of origin marking and certificate of origin
All items must be marked with their country of origin, such as Made in China. Missing or incorrect marking can cause delays, remarking requirements, and added costs. A certificate of origin can also support origin verification when required by the buyer or for compliance records.
Prohibited items and counterfeit goods
Shipping restricted or prohibited items like counterfeit goods can result in seizures. If you ship branded goods, keep authorization evidence and legitimate sourcing proof ready.
DDP shipping, customs broker, and freight forwarder: the best setup
DDP can reduce payment friction because duties and taxes are arranged in advance. It can support faster clearance, but it does not remove compliance requirements.
What DDP helps with
Predictable landed cost
Fewer disputes about who pays duties and taxes
Reduced risk of holds caused by unpaid duties
What DDP does not fix
Incorrect HS code
Vague descriptions
Missing compliance documents
Restricted goods and counterfeit issues
Who does what
A licensed customs broker handles entry filing, duty calculation, and compliance coordination
A freight forwarder manages international shipping, document flow, and timeline control
What to do if you are already stuck in customs
If you are already facing a hold, speed and precision matter more than long explanations.
Step-by-step to clear customs faster
Ask your customs broker for the exact hold reason
Send targeted documents that solve that reason
Correct the file so every document matches
Track next actions and deadlines, then double check changes were applied
The most effective documents to send
Corrected commercial invoice and packing list
Product spec sheet and photos showing shipment’s contents
Payment proof supporting transaction value
Compliance certificates and prior notice details if regulated
How to control extra costs during delays
Monitor free days and storage clocks
Confirm exam requirements early
Coordinate drayage and appointments immediately after release
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Customs Clearance Guides
Get a Customs-Ready Shipping Quote from China
Document check to reduce customs holds
HS/HTS review and compliant item descriptions
Broker-ready file for faster customs clearance
Share your product list and invoice draft. We’ll confirm compliance details and quote door-to-door options.