While expecting an international package, one of the tracking statuses on the Canada Post tracking page is, “Item has been presented to Canada border services agency for customs review.”
Sometimes, it takes longer than expected for you to see any new tracking update, which brings us to demystifying this status.
What Does, “Item Has Been Presented To Canada Border Services Agency For Customs Review” Mean?
This Canada Post tracking status means that an international package has been handed over to customs for screening before it is allowed to enter Canada.
Unless there are suspicious contents in the package, items that have been handed over to Canada’s customs don’t get opened. Customs only use X-ray machines for screening, which explains why the process is so fast.
Why Is My Package Stuck On “Item Has Been Presented To Canada Border Services Agency For Customs Review?”
The Package Requires Further Inspection
While customs rarely opens packages after X-raying them, it happens for some packages that further inspection has to be made.
For example, when I was expecting airsoft-related items, my package stayed in the CBSA for several days before I could get any update.
Upon further research, I noticed that such a package had to undergo further inspection as it had assumed a gun shape.
Now, depending on how many packages have to be inspected further and how far yours is in the queue, it can take several days before that inspection happens. In all those instances, note that the tracking status will be stuck as there is no relevant scan for your package at that point.
Again, note that depending on the contents of the package, the CBSA might decide to seize it if further inspection provides any reason for doubt.
Backed Up Customs Facilities
While the package might have been handed over to customs for review, it doesn’t mean that they will do it right away.
Since such packages have to be queued before reviewing happens, it’ll depend on how many packages come before yours.
If it’s during the peak times such as around Black Fridays, Christmas, or the New Year, it can take several days before customs X-ray your package.
The Nature Of Your Package Needs Longer Review
When I reached out to the CBSA, I noticed that the type of package plays a critical role in how slower or faster it takes to be reviewed.
For example, they told me that restricted goods and food have a legislated maximum clearance time of 30 days.
For personal use items such as jewelry, the legislated maximum time it takes for clearance to go through is 3 weeks.
Now, if your package lies under these items with a maximum clearance duration, customs might decide to prioritize the other ones that don’t need any stringent measures for inspection, and handle the restricted ones shortly before the timeline lapses.
Despite there being the maximum clearance time provided by customs, sometimes packages end up taking longer than a month before clearance happens.
There Are Import Fees To Be Paid
If there are import fees to be paid, it’s possible to see this tracking status ending up with an exclamation mark.
The problem is that customs can take longer to let you know if there are any fees to be paid, so we recommend that you be in the know about any fees related to the nature of your package as it comes to Canada.
The Package Was Seized
It could be that the reason why your package status doesn’t change is because it was seized by customs.
The problem is that since this package isn’t in Canada Post’s hands, it is hard for them to give the correct status.
Depending on the reason for the seizure, customs can decide to destroy such a package or send it back to the sender.
What Do I Do When My Package Is Stuck On, “Item Has Been Presented To Canada Border Services Agency For Customs Review”
When your package is taking longer in the customs office, we find contacting CBSA to be an incredible choice.
From there, you can get a better timeline on when such a package will move and more information on whether there is anything you can do from your side to necessitate faster delivery.
You can also contact the sender if the package took longer than the estimated delivery date. It could be that the package was returned to them for whatever reason.
Contacting the sender as a result of the package getting delayed past the delivery date is a great way to have them send you a different replacement package with the hope that it will make it through customs. If not, they can issue you with a refund on the condition of non-delivery.
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