GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
customs clearance hold
A customs clearance hold arises when a shipment is blocked from further movement – typically because documentation is incomplete, a physical inspection has been ordered, or a required regulatory approval is outstanding.
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A customs clearance hold arises when a shipment is blocked from further movement – typically because documentation is incomplete, a physical inspection has been ordered, or a required regulatory approval is outstanding. The goods remain at the point of suspension, usually a terminal, bonded warehouse, or customs agent's facility, until the hold is lifted. For freight forwarders and customs brokers, every hour counts: demurrage charges, missed onward connections, and contractual penalties can accumulate quickly. Resolution typically involves submitting missing documents, liaising directly with the relevant customs office, or securing the necessary permits. A clearance hold differs from a routine customs examination in that it is an unplanned interruption rather than a scheduled procedural step.
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