EBay International Shipping held at customs

I purchased something from America using the International shipping (I’m in UK) it arrived at Heathrow yesterday and now it’s being held by customs. Tracking info doesn’t say anything else but this. I’ve paid the duties when I checked out so I shouldn’t have anything else to pay?! How do I get around this? It says online it could be held up due to poor paperwork, but eBay sorts this out themselves? Has anyone else had this?

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Re: EBay International Shipping held at customs

It's probably just being held in customs waiting with the other million+ items to be sorted.

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Re: EBay International Shipping held at customs

If it only arrived at Heathrow yesterday and is showing as being with customs, that's perfectly normal. 

 

Packages don't clear customs immediately, it depends how busy they are. I've found that it averages out at 3/4 days at the moment. 

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Re: EBay International Shipping held at customs

Thank you! The wording of ‘held at customs’ makes it sound like something is wrong, hopefully it’ll clear through soon! 🙂

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Re: EBay International Shipping held at customs


@meconn73 wrote:

I purchased something from America using the International shipping (I’m in UK) it arrived at Heathrow yesterday and now it’s being held by customs. Tracking info doesn’t say anything else but this. I’ve paid the duties when I checked out so I shouldn’t have anything else to pay?! How do I get around this? It says online it could be held up due to poor paperwork, but eBay sorts this out themselves? Has anyone else had this?


Customs have to check that the seller included all the correct codes on the outside of the package to prove you paid import VAT (and duty if applicable) at point of sale, and that the parcel does not contain prohibited items/contraband.

 

As long as the seller labelled the package correctly so customs can see that the taxes have been paid, the item should be released over the next few days.

 

If the seller has failed to put the details on the outside of the package then you may be asked for pay the taxes again or otherwise prove you have already paid them  

 

Hopefully your seller knows how to post internationally to satisfy import requirements. 

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Re: EBay International Shipping held at customs

It was purchased through eBay international shipping program, so it was all down to eBay to sort at their hub before it was shipped, hopefully it’s all been done correctly and passes through soon 🤞🏼

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