Customs release blocked

A customs declaration that won't transition past cleared to released (or that bounces back to held) usually has one of a handful of root causes. Walk through them.

Common reasons

1. Permits required but not filled

If any declaration line has permit_required = true and permit_reference is empty, the declaration is blocked at submitted.

Fix: open the line, fill in permit_code, permit_authority, and permit_reference. Re-submit.

2. CIF / value mismatch with carrier docs

Customs may hold the declaration if your declared CIF doesn't reconcile with the carrier's freight invoice + insurance value.

Fix: re-confirm the CIF calculation. If your buy-side freight has changed, update the declaration's total_cif_value and re-submit.

3. Restricted or prohibited commodity

The HS code triggers a restriction (food, pharma, chemicals). Customs requires additional certification.

Fix: attach the missing certificate (Halal, COA, MSDS) to the declaration's documents tab. Re-submit.

4. Duty / VAT not paid

Some customs authorities won't release until duty is settled. CargoSurge tracks deposit / payment via the after-release Deposits panel.

Fix: record the deposit / payment in the Deposits ledger, then re-submit. The customs broker can release once duty is acknowledged.

5. The declaration is still in review

If state is under_review, customs hasn't decided yet. No action you can take from CargoSurge — wait or chase the broker.

6. Released by mistake → reopened

If the declaration is back in reopened status, an admin reopened a previously-released declaration (typically because of a release error). Resolve the underlying issue, then transition reopened → cleared → released.

Step-by-step diagnosis

1. 1
   Open the declaration's detail page. Note the current status and any held reason.
2. 2
   If held, read the hold_reason field — usually self-explanatory.
3. 3
   Open each declaration line — check permit_required, permit_reference, and any HS-code restriction notice.
4. 4
   Open the documents tab — verify all required documents (per the destination country's requirements list) are attached.
5. 5
   Verify CIF math: cargo value + freight + insurance = total_cif_value. Mismatches block release in some jurisdictions.
6. 6
   If everything looks right, contact the customs broker — there may be an authority-side delay invisible to CargoSurge.

Common pitfalls

When to contact platform support

Customs holds are operational issues — the platform usually can't directly resolve them. Contact platform support if:

• The declaration is stuck in a state that won't transition even when you click the next action (UI bug).
• The duty calculator is producing wildly wrong numbers (HS code data issue).
• Customs webhook (release event from the authority) isn't updating the declaration despite you confirming release manually with the broker.

For everything else, the customs broker is your first call.