It's odd I received a missed call from a strange number, it turned out to be FedEx Tennessee, but they never left a message. After being on hold for fifteen minutes I hung up. With the $800.00 law being in place, this just sounds like more bureaucratic BS trying to squeeze more money from people.
Clearance Delay, or “Package available for clearance” means the package was held for examination and assessment by customs. It is a shipment update that is very common on imports from overseas.
ABOUT CUSTOMS
For the sake of those who do not have an idea about customs, it is a government agency that is responsible for examining, and collecting duties and taxes on shipments coming in and out of a country.
Customs assigns inspectors and collectors in ports and courier facilities. Those people are responsible for clearing shipments, and ensuring that taxable goods are taxed.
CLEARANCE PROCEDURE ON FEDEX VS. OTHER COURIER COMPANIES
The clearance procedure in a FedEx facility is normally quicker than other courier companies. They update the shipment status of a parcel as soon as customs finishes assessing it. See example below.
Sometimes, clearance processing takes two days or more depending on the volume of parcels. Anticipate a delay in delivery if a parcel arrives on a holiday, most especially long weekends. It will require a couple of days to be released due to a backlog. This rarely happens as FedEx is closed only on selected holidays like New Year’s Day.
Another reason that a package is taking so long to be cleared is if its official documentation like Commercial Invoice is missing or needs to be verified.
If the document is needed but missing, it will cause delays in clearing the package. Customs might need additional time to assess it manually.
Take note, a commercial invoice does not guarantee fast clearance all the time, but it helps.
DUTIES AND TAXES
If customs held a package, there is a 50% chance that the consignee will pay taxes, or if the luck falls on the other half, FedEx will release the package immediately for delivery within the day or the following day. It is either of the two only.
If customs impose taxes on a package, FedEx will call the consignee or the designated taxpayer indicated on the waybill, to inform him about the total fee that must be settled. The payer can pick up the package from the local FedEx office or a courier will collect the payment upon delivery. The procedure varies by country.
The sender, consignee or a designated taxpayer can pay the duties and taxes imposed on a shipment. A designated taxpayer is a third party (a person or company) who will settle the fees other than the recipient of the package. FedEx will most likely deliver the package immediately if the sender pays the taxes in advance.
In case the consignee refused to pay, FedEx will hold the package temporarily. They will schedule another delivery upon request.
SUMMARY
Now, you already have an idea about the “Clearance Delay” that shows on the FedEx tracking tool.
Remember, the best thing to do if a package is taking so long to be released by customs is to call FedEx customer service so they can request to expedite the clearing process. They will act if you do.