"Held by Customs" – What This Status Means and What to Do Next

It’s the notification every expat in Thailand dreads.

You’ve been refreshing the tracking page every hour. Your package made it from the USA to Suvarnabhumi Airport in record time. Then, the updates stop. Finally, a new status appears in bright red letters:

• "Held for Customs Inspection"
• "Awaiting presentation to Customs Commissioner"
• "Clearance Processing"
• "Unsuccessful Delivery: Held at Laksi"

Your heart sinks. Does this mean your package is gone? Are you in legal trouble? How much is this going to cost?

First, don't panic. This is a standard part of the import process. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what is happening to your shipment and the step-by-step process to get it released.

What Does "Held by Customs" Actually Mean?

It does not necessarily mean your items have been seized or confiscated. It simply means the automated flow has stopped because a Customs Officer needs to manually verify something.

Usually, it is one of three things:

1. Value Verification: The officer suspects the declared value on the box (e.g., "$50") is lower than the actual market value.
2. Restricted Goods Check: They found items that might require a permit, such as supplements, cosmetics, food, or medical devices (which are strictly regulated as of 2025).
3. Random Audit: Sometimes, you are just the "lucky" one selected for a spot check.

The "Pink Slip" vs. The Courier Call

What happens next depends on how your package was shipped.

Scenario A: Standard Mail (USPS, Royal Mail, Japan Post)
You will eventually receive a notification paper (often pink or white) at your home address. This is a "Notification to Collect International Parcel".

• What it means: You cannot have the package delivered. You must physically go to the location listed (usually the Laksi Mail Center or your local post office), open the package in front of an officer, and negotiate the tax there.

Scenario B: Private Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS)
You will likely get a call or email from the courier’s clearance team. They will tell you that Customs is requesting more documents—usually a copy of your passport, a proof of purchase (invoice), or a specific import license.

• The Trap: Couriers will often charge you a "disbursement fee" or "storage fee" (starting after 2-3 days) while you scramble to find these documents.

The 2025 Reality: Why "Small" Packages Are Getting Stopped

If you’ve lived in Thailand for a while, you might remember the days when packages under 1,500 THB sailed through without issues.

Those days are over.

As of mid-2024, the Thai government collects 7% VAT on all imported goods, regardless of value, to protect local businesses. This means even a small box of t-shirts or books is now subject to a stop for tax assessment.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Package Released

1. Wait for the Notice (or Find the Tracking Number)
Do not go to the airport without a notification number. You need the specific reference code from the "Pink Slip" or the courier.

2. Gather Your Evidence
Before you speak to anyone, find your Order Confirmation or Credit Card Statement showing exactly what you paid.

• Pro Tip: If you bought an item on sale, bring the receipt showing the discount. Otherwise, Customs will look up the full retail price online and tax you on that.

3. Decide: DIY or Agent?

• The DIY Route: You can go to the Customs office yourself. Be prepared for a long wait, forms in Thai, and a negotiation process that can feel intimidating if you don't speak the language.
• The Agent Route (Clearpost): This is where we come in.

How Clearpost Fixes This

When you forward your tracking number and notification to us, we take over.

• We Speak "Customs": We know the specific Harmonized System (HS) codes to use that often have lower duty rates than the default ones officers pick.
• We Handle the Permits: If your package is stuck because of FDA-restricted vitamins or cosmetics, we can often assist with the clearance process or advise on the fastest way to resolve it without losing the whole shipment.
• No Airport Trips: We clear the goods and arrange delivery directly to your door.

Status stuck for more than 48 hours? The clock is ticking on storage fees. Send us your tracking number today for a free assessment.