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Canada Post tracking status

Canada Post “Item held by customs”: what it means

The short answer

Keep an eye on it

Customs is reviewing your parcel, which is standard for all international parcels, and it cannot move on until released. Canada Post says it cannot intervene or ask about a parcel during the review. Track updates once it clears.

When to act: If it is still on a customs line after 14 days, file a complaint and we send it to Canada Post.

Bizzy online

Tell me what happened. I write your complaint with you and we send it to Canada Post.

Also shown as: “Item has arrived in Canada and will be presented for review” · “Item has been presented to Canada Border Services Agency for customs review” · “Item was released by Customs and is now with Canada Post for processing” · “International item released from Customs”

What to do now

  1. Read the full history in Track and note the date of the first customs line.

  2. Do not expect new scans during the review, because the status cannot update until the parcel clears.

  3. Watch for a notification that duty and taxes are due, and check any request to pay against your tracking number in Track before you pay.

  4. On an order from abroad, compare the tracking the seller gave you, as updates from foreign postal services can arrive late.

  5. Keep screenshots, your tracking number and your order confirmation showing the value of the goods.

  6. Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to Canada Post, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

    Start my complaint

What does “Item held by customs” mean?

All parcels arriving in Canada are screened by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Canada Post presents each one for review, and CBSA inspects it. Parcels with nothing prohibited or restricted, and no duty or taxes due, are released at this stage. Others are held for further action. Once cleared, the parcel returns to Canada Post, and Track shows that it is on its way to you. For a parcel you sent abroad, the destination country's customs applies instead.

This alone does not mean something is wrong: all international parcels go through it. Canada Post says times vary with the parcel, its paperwork and how many parcels customs has. In histories people share, the lines read 'Item has arrived in Canada and will be presented for review', then 'Item has been presented to Canada Border Services Agency for customs review', then 'Item was released by Customs and is now with Canada Post for processing'. Waits differ a lot, and 'Item held by customs' has also shown after a 'released' line.

Why does Canada Post show it?

  • The standard customs review of every international parcel
  • Incomplete or unclear customs paperwork
  • Duty or taxes to assess
  • Contents that need a closer look or are restricted
  • A high volume of parcels at customs

How long does it last?

Customs sets no fixed time. Once released, the next line is usually 'Item processed' and then 'Item out for delivery'. In histories people share, waits run from a couple of days to several weeks, and a few people report months. If duty or taxes are due, the parcel cannot be left as a safe drop and may go to a post office.

Other Canada Post statuses

All Canada Post statuses →

Who is responsible for a late or missing parcel from Canada Post?

If you bought online from a business, the seller chose Canada Post and is its customer, so a late, lost or missing order is in most cases for the seller to put right, with a replacement or a refund. Canada Post also says that only the sender can receive compensation for a missing parcel.

For a parcel you sent yourself, Canada Post's General Terms and Conditions are the contract between you. Most Priority, Xpresspost and Expedited Parcel shipments include cover of up to $100, the first $100 must be bought for Regular Parcel, and you can add more when you mail it, up to $5,000 within Canada and $1,000 for most US and international shipments. Compensation is the lowest of the item's value, the cover you bought or the cover included, plus postage where it applies. A claim for a missing parcel has to start within 90 days of the shipping date within Canada, or 6 months for the US and abroad. A late parcel on a guaranteed service may earn the sender a postage refund, but the terms excuse causes beyond Canada Post's control, including labour disruptions and customs.

Questions about “Item held by customs”

What does 'Item held by customs' mean on Canada Post?

Your parcel is being reviewed by customs, which is standard for all international parcels. It must clear before Track can update and before it can be delivered.

How long can a parcel stay in customs in Canada?

No fixed time is published. Canada Post says it varies with the parcel, its paperwork and the volume at customs. In histories people share, waits run from a couple of days to several weeks, and a few people report months.

Can Canada Post tell me why customs is holding my parcel?

No. Canada Post says it cannot intervene or ask about a parcel while customs has it. It says the parcel is delivered as quickly as possible once released.

What does 'Item was released by Customs and is now with Canada Post for processing' mean?

It has cleared customs and is back with Canada Post. In histories people share, 'Item processed' usually comes next, followed by 'Item out for delivery'.

Do I have to pay duty on my Canada Post parcel?

Customs decides. CBSA assesses duty and taxes on international parcels. If they are due, you may get a notification to pay. The parcel cannot be left as a safe drop then, and it may go to a post office.

Based on

  • Canada Post: Tracking statuses (item held by customs)
  • Canada Post: My package is in customs. What can I do?
  • Canada Post: I set a delivery preference location but my package went to the post office (duty and taxes owed)
  • Canada Post: How to set your delivery preference location (notification to pay duty and taxes)
  • Canada Post: Tracking international packages
  • RedFlagDeals forum: Mail Processing at Canada Customs SLOW? (shared tracking histories)
  • RedFlagDeals forum: Is Canada Post really backed up? (Item was released by Customs)
  • Reddit r/CanadaPost: shared history (arrived in Canada, presented to CBSA)
  • Reddit r/CanadaPost: shared history (released by Customs, then Item processed)
  • Reddit r/CanadaPost: shared experience (about 20 days on Item has arrived in Canada and will be presented for review)
  • Reddit r/CanadaPost: shared history (International item released from Customs, then Item held by Customs)
  • Reddit r/CanadaPost: shared experience (about two months in customs before Item held by customs showed)
  • Canada Post: My package hasn't arrived (who can be paid, time limits, $100 base cover)
  • Canada Post: My package was delivered late (postage refund for the sender, guaranteed services)
  • Canada Post: Coverage options, parcel guide ($100 included, first $100 bought for Regular Parcel, up to $5,000)
  • Canada Post: General Terms and Conditions, customers without a Standing Offer Agreement (liability cover, excusable delay)

Parcel still not here?
File a complaint about Canada Post.

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