Customs Clearance Delay

neema2k · Mar 16, 2025

Anyone with any experience importing parts from Japan and running into an issue with FedEx with a status Clearance Delay.

Description provided is insufficient to classify commodity. Recommended action: Shipper or Importer must provide a more detailed description of goods.

I ordered some Jaos Tribe wheels from Nengun and they finally shipped but now stuck in red tape.

omgponies · Mar 17, 2025

I've seen all permutations out of this - the most ideal one is the sender sends you a new one with the right details and then they sort out what to do with the stuck one. That happens frequently with large ones who send to the US frequently, and nearly never with small ones who either don't have the resources or just don't see it as worth the effort.

There is also the laziness method, which I favor, which involves doing nothing and sometimes it just shows up anyway, late. (Usually either they decide it is low concern and pass it on, or they cut it open and classify it so it can move on.)

This whole issue will likely happen more frequently with the gov't reduction in workforce going on in the US (as it is part of automation that then goes to a person, and now many fewer people to help resolve it, so unless they turn off the automation it will just do this - I doubt they will turn it off, as it is part of how they capture the taxes/tariffs - as well as adjacent to anti-drug efforts they claim to be increasing).

neema2k · Mar 17, 2025

So far it turns out it was an actual person that put the hold on the package. FedEx told me to complete the form HS-7 and email it to this individual. The form isn't too large but it is asking for some stuff that only customs would know. Typical!

Once I have more info and see what info in the form works out, I'll post so folks out here running into the same shenanigans can navigate.

P.S.
Nengun contacted me back and said they haven't got any indications or contacts from FedEx Japan. But did tell me what to put in the form to indicate US road safety standards.

cvx5832LC · Mar 17, 2025

I don't remember ever having difficulties getting stuff from Japan to CA. In fact some of them ship faster than USPS local.

As pointed out, probably related to the tariffs, where more detailed descriptions become necessary.

neema2k · Mar 17, 2025

I think it's how much it cost. From some of my read up I've done it looks like a $2500 trigger I think. Maybe I'm wrong.

Update
This price point thing doesn't seem right as some random posts on Reddit say so. It seems to be more of a random inspection than price. As far I can tell so far this practice goes back a long time. People even get their motorcycle helmets held up over this.

neema2k · Mar 18, 2025

The package cleared customs. The JAOS Tribe wheels are on the way.

I had to fill the form HS-7.
I sent the competed form Monday morning. Within an hour FedEx contacted me requesting some corrections and exactly 24 hours later US Customs cleared it.