Customs Detention refers to an administrative measure by which customs, during import and export supervision, temporarily detains goods in accordance with the law pending further handling because of doubts regarding the goods, documents, or declaration information. Common scenarios include: declared product name, quantity, or value inconsistent with the actual goods; lack of required licenses, certificates of origin, or commodity inspection certificates; suspected intellectual property infringement; or involvement in anti-dumping or countervailing investigations. Customs detention differs from 'inspection,' which is a routine procedure, while customs detention means an abnormality has been found and may escalate into confiscation, fines, or return shipment. It also differs from 'demurrage/detention,' which is a cost issue with the port or shipping company, whereas customs detention is a customs enforcement action. Note: Once goods are detained by customs, companies should contact a customs broker or lawyer as soon as possible, verify the reason, supplement documents, or apply for administrative reconsideration; at the same time, monitor accumulating container demurrage and storage fees to avoid expanding losses. The key to prevention is accurate declaration, compliant documents, and understanding the destination country's policies in advance.
📝 Examples
1. Because the HS code we declared was inconsistent with the customs determination, this shipment was detained at the destination port. The customer is pressing urgently, so please provide the correct classification basis as soon as possible. (Note: Customs detention caused by incorrect code declaration requires supplementary classification materials.)
2. That batch of electronic products exported to the EU was detained by customs due to the lack of CE certification. Customs requires a declaration of conformity, otherwise the goods will be returned or destroyed. (Note: Customs detention due to the lack of required certification requires completing certification or facing the risk of return shipment.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
For unfamiliar terms, use GlobalSync's multilingual email helper to confirm with your partner