If your shipment is stuck at Canadian customs, there is usually a reason for it, even if the tracking information does not tell you what that reason is.
A package marked as “held at customs” can be stressful, especially when the goods are expensive, time-sensitive, or needed for your business. The good news is that a customs hold does not usually mean the shipment is lost or seized.
A shipment held at Canadian customs rarely means the goods are lost or seized. It usually means CBSA cannot complete clearance with the information it currently has.
The Canada Border Services Agency, or CBSA, reviews shipments entering Canada to determine whether they can be released and whether the information provided is accurate and complete. A shipment can be delayed because of missing documentation, questions about its value, an incorrect HS code, an unclear importer of record, a CARM Client Portal issue, another government department’s requirements, or a physical examination.
The important thing is to identify the actual cause of the hold. Once you know what CBSA or another government authority needs, most issues can be resolved.
This guide explains the most common reasons shipments get stuck at Canadian customs, what each type of hold means, and what you can do to get your goods released.
What “Held at Customs” Actually Means
When a shipment is held at customs, CBSA usually needs clarification, documentation, or another requirement completed before the goods can be released.
The word “held” can sound more serious than it actually is. In many cases, it simply means the clearance process has been paused.
CBSA needs to review the information associated with the shipment. This information may include the Integrated Import Declaration and supporting documents submitted by the importer or customs broker. If something is missing, unclear, inconsistent, or requires further review, the shipment may not be released immediately.
CBSA may need clarification about what the goods are, what they are worth, how they should be classified, or who is legally responsible for importing them. In other cases, the importer may need to complete a CARM requirement or provide documentation required by another government department.
CBSA Needs Clarification, Not That Your Goods Are Gone
A customs hold and a seizure are not the same thing.
A hold usually means the shipment is still going through the normal customs process, but something needs to be resolved first. The goods may be waiting for documents, clarification, examination, or approval.
A hold means clearance is incomplete. It does not automatically mean CBSA has taken ownership of the goods.
Most shipments that are held are eventually released once the underlying issue is resolved.
For example, CBSA may request a more detailed commercial invoice. The declared value may need to be supported with additional documents. The shipment may require an import permit, or the importer may need to correct a CARM-related issue.
The key is to respond to the specific problem rather than assuming the worst.
Why the Tracking Status Does Not Explain the Issue
One of the most frustrating parts of a customs hold is that tracking information is often vague.
You may see a status such as:
- Held at customs
- Clearance delay
- Held for inspection
- Customs processing delay
These messages usually tell you where the shipment is in the process, not exactly why it has been stopped.
That is why you should not try to diagnose the issue based only on the tracking page. If you are working with a customs broker, contact them to find out whether CBSA has requested additional information. If the shipment is being handled directly by a courier or carrier, check whether they have sent a request for documentation or other information.
The first step is always the same: identify the actual trigger.
Held for Inspection vs. Held for Documentation
Not all customs work the same way.
A documentation hold usually means CBSA needs more information before it can complete clearance. The problem could be a missing commercial invoice, an unclear product description, inconsistent information, or a missing certificate or permit.
A shipment held for inspection is different. The documentation may be complete, but the goods have been selected for examination. Depending on the type of review, the shipment may be moved to a bonded warehouse or made available for inspection.
A documentation hold means CBSA needs better information. An examination hold means the goods themselves may need to be reviewed.
Neither situation automatically means that the importer has done something wrong.
Documentation and Invoice Problems (The Most Common Cause)
Documentation issues are one of the most common reasons a shipment gets stuck because CBSA cannot complete clearance without accurate and detailed information about the goods.
The commercial invoice plays a central role in the customs clearance process. It tells CBSA what is being imported, who is involved in the transaction, and what value has been declared for the goods.
If the invoice is missing, incomplete, vague, or inconsistent with the information submitted to customs, the shipment may be held.
Missing or Incomplete Commercial Invoice
A shipment may be delayed if there is no commercial invoice or if the invoice does not provide enough information.
An invoice should clearly explain what is being imported and provide the information needed to support the customs declaration. If important details are missing, CBSA may not have enough information to release the goods.
This can include problems with product descriptions, quantities, declared values, buyer or seller information, or other details connected to the shipment.
Even a small mistake can create a delay if CBSA cannot determine whether the declaration is accurate.
Vague Product Descriptions
Vague descriptions are a common problem.
Terms such as “gift,” “sample,” or “parts” may describe the shipment in a general sense, but they do not tell CBSA enough about the actual goods.
For example, “electronic parts” could refer to a wide range of products. “Sample” does not explain what product is being sampled. “Parts” could apply to almost anything.
Vague product descriptions can trigger a documentation hold because they do not give CBSA enough information to assess the shipment.
The description should identify the actual product clearly and specifically.
The more clearly the goods are described, the easier it is to support proper classification and valuation.
Invoice Does Not Match the Declaration
Another common issue occurs when the commercial invoice and customs declaration do not match.
The quantity, value, or product description may be different. A simple data-entry error can create a discrepancy that requires CBSA to pause the clearance process and ask for clarification.
For example, if the value declared to CBSA is different from the value shown on the invoice, the importer may need to explain why.
The same applies when the goods are described differently on separate documents.
CBSA may not know whether the difference is a simple mistake or whether the information needs to be reassessed. Until the issue is clarified, the shipment can remain on hold.
Missing Certificates and Permits
Some goods require more than a commercial invoice.
Depending on what you are importing, additional certificates, permits, or licences may be required before the goods can be released.
These requirements may come from CBSA or another government department.
If the required document is missing, sending another copy of the invoice will not solve the problem. The importer must provide the specific certificate, permit, or approval required for that type of product.
How to Fix a Documentation Hold
The best way to resolve a documentation hold is to find out exactly what information is missing or unclear.
Do not guess.
First, contact the broker, carrier, or party handling the clearance and ask what CBSA has requested.
Then review the documents carefully and provide the required information.
If there is an error, correct it. If CBSA needs clarification, provide documents that support the information already declared.
The response should be accurate and focused on the issue identified.
The fastest way to resolve a documentation hold is to provide exactly what CBSA has requested, rather than sending unrelated documents and hoping the issue is resolved.
Documentation problems often lead to other questions as well. An unclear invoice can create concerns about valuation, while a vague product description can make proper HS classification difficult.
The next step is understanding what happens when CBSA has questions about the declared value of your goods.
