Most parcels clear without any delay. When one is held, the reason is usually a bill that needs paying. Here is what happens next.
GOV.UK does not give a standard time for customs clearance. Most parcels pass through without being held at all, and a parcel with a complete, accurate customs declaration commonly moves on within a day or so. A parcel that is held usually waits on one of three things: a bill for you to pay, missing information, or a check on the contents.
This is the most common reason a parcel stops. If VAT, duty or a delivery charge is due, Royal Mail, Parcelforce or the courier contacts you with an itemised bill. They collect the money before they deliver, or when you collect the parcel. HMRC does not send the bill.
Nothing moves until you pay. The delay is on your side of the process, not in customs.
Delays can come from a declaration that is missing, shows a value that looks too low, or describes the goods too vaguely. For some goods you may be sent a full customs declaration form to fill in, with a letter explaining how to pay. If the sender can correct the paperwork, the parcel can usually continue.
GOV.UK says a parcel is normally held for about 3 weeks. Parcelforce says the same, 21 days. If you have not paid or sorted out the problem by then, the parcel is returned to the sender.
A £180 order from the USA ships by tracked post. It arrives in the UK and is flagged because duty and VAT are due. Royal Mail sends a card with an itemised bill for the duty, the VAT and its own fee. You pay online, and the parcel is delivered. If you had ignored the card, the parcel would have gone back to the sender after about 3 weeks.
Check the live rules. Fees and forms are set by each carrier and by HMRC, and they change. See the GOV.UK page on tax and customs for goods sent from abroad for the current position.
A change coming: the UK Government has confirmed that the £135 customs duty relief will end by October 2028 (announced 23 June 2026). Nothing changes yet, and this page reflects today's rules. See the government's reforming customs rules for low value imports page.
Related guides: Courier fees compared · Reclaiming import VAT · Buying from Shein · Sending a gift to the UK
There is no official fixed time. Most parcels are not held. A parcel with a correct customs declaration commonly clears within a day or so. A parcel that is held is usually waiting for you to pay a bill, for missing information, or for a check on the contents.
GOV.UK says about 3 weeks, and Parcelforce says 21 days. If you have not paid the bill or fixed the problem by then, the parcel is returned to the sender.
You pay the carrier, such as Royal Mail, Parcelforce or the courier, not HMRC. They advance the duty and VAT, add their own fee, and collect before delivery. Use the carrier's own website to pay.