USPS "Customs Clearance in Progress" — What It Means
What It Means
"Customs clearance in progress" (or similar statuses like 'Your item is being processed by United States Customs') means the package is in the possession of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or a destination country's customs authority, and is being evaluated for entry into the country.
Customs clearance for USPS international packages involves automated risk assessment and, for flagged packages, physical inspection of contents against the customs declaration. Most packages with accurate declarations and under the de minimis threshold (currently $800 for US imports) clear automatically.
Critically: during customs clearance, neither USPS nor the recipient has control over the package — CBP does. USPS cannot expedite customs processing. Calling USPS about a package in customs won't speed up clearance.
What To Do Next
- 1Wait — most customs clearance completes within a few business days without any action needed from you
- 2Check your email for any communication from CBP or USPS requesting additional documentation or notice of inspection
- 3For US imports: CBP's ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) portal shows formal entry status for commercial shipments
- 4If you receive a CBP notice (Form 28 or Form 29), respond promptly with requested documentation
- 5For packages stuck in customs for 10+ days: contact USPS International Inquiry (1-800-222-1811) with your tracking number for a status update
Frequently asked questions
Related Tracking Statuses
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