How does customs inspect packages

Remember to Nail it and not end up with a shipping fail, follow this simple recipe:. Building out your global shipping strategy? Try a day free trial of ShipperHQ and start setting up shipping rules unique to your business.

One misstep with customs could lead to a disaster. What can you do to avoid this? One error could lead to a big disaster. In theory, it seems simple. You get your first order from the U. What should you have done instead? How does customs work for packages? Customs refers to the duties, fees or taxes levied on goods transported from one country to another.

Does customs check every package? Do customs open every package to verify information? How long do packages stay in customs on average? Why is customs such a hassle for ecommerce shippers? What causes a package to get stuck in customs? The most frequent reasons a package gets stuck in customs are: Missing Paperwork Missing paperwork and unpaid duties and taxes are common reasons why an item can get stuck in customs Every international package will need a commercial invoice and a customs declaration form.

After your local postal service takes possession of the package, it will get sorted and taken to the appropriate mail hub. The postal hub will again sort it there and then take it on to the airport. Up to this point, the delivery process is the same as for local deliveries. Once your package arrives at customs, this is where the real fun of international package tracking starts.

The first step in the process will, of course, be airport workers scanning and x-raying your parcel. This is a preliminary confirmation that you aren't shipping anything contraband. If you have ever had a package held up at customs, this is likely the step in the process at which it got stuck. If your package contains anything the customs workers think might be suspicious or restricted, they will hold it for further examination.

This can be a long process. The best way for you to prevent your package being delayed other than not shipping contraband items is to make sure your customs forms are filled out as completely and accurately as possible.

If the listed contents of your package seem to match what is showing up on the scans, your package will have an easier time getting through the process. If you aren't sure whether something is okay to ship or not, be sure to check the U. Customs and Border Patrol list of banned items. If your package passes the x-ray and scanning round of inspection, it may still have a few more steps to clear. In layman's terms, your package may be sniffed by a dog.

The high-end manufacturers never commingle their products, like, in other words, a Gucci inside a Fendi or a Louis Vuitton. These people will stuff watches, a wallet, inside a handbag.

And so, they'll never commingle their products. They are so precise. Some of the things I could say, like, some of the manufacturers, they don't put any of this in it, the filler, inside it. They would never do that. We'll look at the smell. Sometimes it smells like petroleum. It's not real leather. We look at the stitching. We look at the symmetry of the logos by the manufacturer, the zippers. This one here is a Coach bag with a Michael Kors zipper.

This coat has "Burbelly" on the buttons instead of Burberry, so these are the comical things that we find when you look at it up close, and you could pick it right out. Narrator: Counterfeit goods make up an estimated trillion-dollar industry that's even been linked to terrorist groups around the world. So, where do all these seized goods end up anyway? Well, most of the narcotics and counterfeit goods will be sent to a top-secret incinerator to be destroyed. Some of the drugs will go under further testing, while some of the counterfeit goods may be donated if the offended company allows it.

But, in some cases, if the illegal goods are part of a greater investigation, CBP officers will actually put that package back in the mail. Then, they'll track it all the way to the person it was sent to. This is known as a "controlled shipment. Lodvil: I'm the one who opened that package, and now I'm involved in this controlled delivery. Now I get to finish the story. All right, now we go out. We knocked on your door, you open.

Hello, we noticed that you've ordered, you know, this particular package. It's MDMA. Customs Inspections — How to Prepare. In advance: You must prepare for the customs inspection in advance. Prepare your inventory in an easy to manage way, and ensure that all required documents such as contracts, transportation documents, or payment documents are available. During: During the customs inspection you will need to unpack and then repack goods.

You will be under enormous time pressure, as you will only be allowed to continue shipping your goods once you have obtained the customs findings. After: The customs findings are provided after the customs inspection is completed. The findings are stated on the customs declaration and digitally in the ATLAS process Done with your customs inspection?

Get ready for the next one! A customs inspection might be finished quickly, or might drag on. Learn from your mistakes and write them down after the customs inspection so you can have your goods through more quickly next time and optimize the process. We can Handle Customs Cnspections for You. Your Request is Our Challenge! Our Services — Your Benefits. Fast customs inspection after request Goods do not need to be on hand directly at the door No waiting times for truck or chassis at the customs office Goods are provided to customs in a well-organized and easy to handle state.