Common Reasons for Rejection of Customs Clearance Documents Practical Tips on International Logistics

What Are the Common Reasons for Customs Clearance Documents Not Being Approved? Knowledge Sharing on International Logistics

In the field of international logistics, customs clearance is an indispensable part of the cargo transportation process. However, due to various reasons, customs clearance documents may fail to pass the review, resulting in cargo detention, delays, and even additional costs. So, what are the common reasons for customs clearance documents not being approved? This article will interpret this issue in detail by combining relevant cases and industry experience.

Firstly, the most common reason is incomplete or incorrect declaration information. According to China's import and export goods declaration specifications, all export or import goods must provide detailed customs declaration documents. For example, the commodity name, specifications, quantity, and value must be accurate. If there are omissions or errors when enterprises fill out the customs declaration forms, they will be returned by customs for re-correction. For instance, in 2025, a cross-border e-commerce company was unable to smoothly clear its batch of electronic products because it did not correctly fill in the HS code commodity classification code, eventually having to pay high amendment fees and storage fees.

Secondly, discrepancies between invoices and packing lists are also common problems. In international trade, invoices and packing lists are key documents proving the authenticity of the goods. Once differences are found between these two documents, such as the actual weight differing from the declared weight or the value deviating significantly from market prices, it will attract the attention of customs and may trigger further investigation. For example, last year, a trading company had its goods detained for a month because the invoice amount provided was lower than the actual transaction amount, which was suspected of tax evasion.

Thirdly, missing or expired licenses can also lead to failed customs clearance. For certain specific types of goods, such as hazardous materials, animal and plant products, and medical devices, corresponding licenses must be applied for and obtained before legal export or import. Even if other documents are complete, without following the regulations to handle the relevant procedures, it is difficult to pass the customs inspection. Taking pharmaceutical products as an example, recent cases have shown that some companies have been obstructed in their cross-border sales activities due to neglecting the validity period of their drug registration certificates.

Intellectual property infringement risks should not be overlooked. With the increased emphasis globally on intellectual property protection, any behavior involving trademark, patent, copyright, and other rights conflicts will face severe penalties. When conducting international logistics operations, it is essential to ensure that the transported goods do not infringe upon others' legitimate rights. Otherwise, not only will there be huge fines, but it will also affect the company's reputation.

Finally, it is worth noting that different countries and regions may have varying requirements for customs clearance. Before conducting cross-border business, one should fully understand the specific regulations and policies of the target market and prepare in advance. At the same time, it is recommended to choose a logistics company with rich experience and good reputation as a partner to better cope with the complex international logistics environment.

To sum up, the reasons for customs clearance documents not being approved are diverse, but ultimately they are all due to failure to strictly comply with relevant regulations. To avoid unnecessary trouble, enterprises and individuals should strengthen their learning of international logistics knowledge and improve their compliance awareness. Only in this way can we ensure that goods arrive safely and efficiently at their destination, achieving commercial goals while contributing to the development of international trade.