GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

Transit interruption

A shipment moves smoothly through a transit country – until customs authorities order it stopped and the vehicle cannot proceed.

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Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_(transportation)

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Definition & Explanation

A shipment moves smoothly through a transit country – until customs authorities order it stopped and the vehicle cannot proceed. This is a transit interruption: a complete halt in the movement of goods under customs supervision, triggered by official action (seizure, inspection), cargo damage, vehicle breakdown, or documentation defects. It differs fundamentally from a transit delay, which is a slowdown rather than a full stop. The freight forwarder or customs agent must notify the principal without delay and either restore the transit chain or re-file the customs entry. If left unresolved beyond applicable time limits, the procedure can collapse, leading to duty demands, forfeiture, or compulsory re-export.

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Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen

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Transit interruption

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NCTS (New Computerised Transit System)

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