What Does Inbound Out of Customs Mean for USPS Packages?
You’re expecting an international delivery from USPS and have received an “Inbound out of customs” tracking alert.
What does this mean exactly? Is your package on its way to you? How soon will it be delivered after you receive this update?
Keep reading to learn about it
“Inbound Out of Customs” means your package has cleared customs and left the International Service Center (ISC). It has passed inspection and met any tax or duty obligations. From there, the mail piece will proceed to the inbound sort facility and then to the local post office.
What is the Meaning Behind “Inbound Out of Customs”?
Let’s start with the basics. Seeing “inbound out of customs” on your USPS tracking is good news you want to receive. This scan confirms that your international package has successfully cleared all customs clearance procedures upon arrival in the United States.
Up until you get this update, your shipment has been under the jurisdiction and control of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP officers at whichever port of entry inspect all incoming international mail for prohibited items and ensure proper customs duties are paid.
But now, with an “inbound out of customs” alert, CBP has released possession of your parcel to the United States Postal Service for final delivery to the destination address.
No more being stuck in customs limbo – your item is one big step closer to being in your hands! The USPS delivery process can now proceed from this point.
Why USPS Uses this Confusing Terminology?
Now. You might be thinking, “Why can’t they just say ‘cleared customs’ and call it a day?” Fair question! The “Inbound Out of Customs” phrasing is USPS’s way of giving you two key updates in one tidy little package:
“Inbound” – This part means your shipment is actively en route and inbound for delivery now that the customs process is complete.
“Out of Customs” – As it says, this confirms your package has officially exited the customs facility where it was inspected.
Combining those two parts, USPS can efficiently communicate that a big customs hurdle is behind you and your purchase is back on the move. It’s their way of reassuring you with one simple tracking status.
Why Do Packages Need to Go Through Customs?
Any mail or package entering the United States from another country must be processed through customs before continuing on its delivery route. There are a few key reasons for this mandatory customs clearance:
- Security Screening: Customs inspects packages to check for any prohibited, illegal, or hazardous items that could pose risks.
- Duty Collection: Those fees must be assessed and paid if the contents are subject to customs duties or import taxes.
- Item Classification: The type of contents needs to be properly identified and classified according to regulations.
- Paperwork Verification: Customs verifies shipping documentation, such as customs forms, is properly completed.
So, while it can slow down deliveries temporarily, the customs process plays a vital role in border security and properly taxing/regulating international imports. Only after an item passes this inspection can it be released into the USPS network.
What Happens During the Customs Process?
All international packages arriving in the U.S. undergo a multi-step customs clearance process before being released to USPS. Here’s a quick overview:
Package Arrival and Initial Screening
Shipments arrive at one of five international processing centers operated by USPS. They are unloaded and prepped for screening.
X-Ray Scanning
Packages proceed through x-ray machines and radiation detectors to identify potentially dangerous or illegal items.
Paperwork Verification
Customs officers review shipping documentation like customs forms to ensure proper completion. Descriptions of contents are verified.
Physical Inspection
If anything seems amiss, packages may be opened and physically inspected by officers. Contents are visually checked.
Duty and Tax Calculation
Based on the type of contents and value, any applicable duties or taxes are calculated and must be paid before release.
Final Release
Once everything checks out, customs officially clears the package, generating the “Inbound Out of Customs” scan as it moves to USPS.
Most packages can pass through this process within 24-48 hours if the paperwork is properly filled out. More complicated shipments can take longer.
Where is My Package Located After “Inbound Out of Customs”?
So, if your shipment has cleared customs after the “inbound out of customs” notification, you’re probably wondering exactly where it is located. Is it already near your local post office for immediate delivery?
Unfortunately, the answer is no – there are still some significant logistics ahead before your package arrives at its final destination. When you get an “inbound out of customs” alert, your parcel is still located at the same USPS international mail processing facility, known as an International Service Center (ISC) or International Mail Facility (IMF). You can expect additional tracking updates like “Arrived at USPS Facility” or “Out for Delivery” as your package makes it closer to your doorstep.
Five major ISCs process all incoming international mail for the United States Postal Service. They are located in:
- Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- New York, NY
- San Francisco, CA
Whichever one of these giant processing hubs your shipment arrives through and clears customs is where it will still be located immediately after the “inbound out of customs” status.
However, the key difference now is that your item is in USPS’s possession instead of being in CBP’s hands awaiting inspection and clearance. The postal service has taken over at this point.
How Long Will My Package Be Delivered After “Inbound Out of Customs”?
This is a common question for eager recipients seeing “inbound out of customs” on their tracking – how long until I get my package delivered to my doorstep?
Suppose everything runs smoothly with USPS’s standard logistics process. In that case, you can typically expect your shipment to be delivered within 3-4 days from receiving an “inbound out of customs” alert, sometimes even sooner if you’re close to the ISC.
Here are the general steps that will occur:
- The package is sorted and transported from ISC to the local distribution center. Your shipment will be sorted along with thousands of others and transported via ground or air to a regional USPS distribution hub closer to the delivery destination.
- The package is processed at a regional sorting facility. Once at the local distribution center, your package will be unloaded, processed, and re-sorted for the specific area to which it will be delivered.
- The package is sent to the local post office. After sorting at the regional facility, your item will be transported to the local post office that services the delivery address on the shipment.
- The package is out for delivery. Finally, your package will be loaded onto a USPS truck for delivery to your address on the next available postal business day.
So, in an ideal scenario with no snags, you can expect your long-awaited international package to be delivered within 3-4 days of getting the “inbound out of customs” update. However, However, the exact delivery date will depend on factors like your proximity to logistics hubs.
However, as you may have experienced, sometimes hiccups in USPS’s system can delay packages at particular stages of this delivery pipeline.
Why is My Package Stuck on “Inbound Out of Customs”?
While “inbound out of customs” is certainly progressive and good news, this update doesn’t guarantee your shipment is completely home-free yet. Lengthy delays can still occur if your package gets stuck at this interim stage.
Suppose a week has passed and your tracking is still showing “inbound out of customs” from that same international facility with no further movement. In that case, it likely means your parcel has gotten hung up in logistics.
There can be a few different reasons this USPS delivery delay happens:
- The high volume of parcels leads to backups at the facility. The international mail hubs process thousands of packages daily and can easily get overwhelmed, especially during peak seasons.
- Logistical errors causing packages to be misplaced – With so much mail flowing through massive processing centers, it’s inevitable that some items will get missorted or misplaced.
- Your shipment lacks proper documentation – If your package’s key customs forms or paperwork are incomplete or missing, it can cause additional hangups after clearing the initial customs inspection.
- The package was randomly selected for further inspection. Even after being cleared by customs initially, packages get re-routed for additional inspections by CBP for various reasons.
While annoying, it’s common for international packages to get stuck lingering on the “inbound out of customs” status for multiple days, sometimes over a week.
This happens so frequently that the USPS Office of Inspector General investigated the excessive delays at the Chicago International Mail Facility a few years ago. They found thousands of pieces of mail were being unreasonably held up and recommended process improvements.
What to Do if Your Package is Stuck on Inbound Out of Customs
So your parcel has been stuck in USPS limbo-land on the dreaded “Inbound Out of Customs” status for too long. What’s the recommended course of action at this point?
Here are some tips if your tracking hasn’t updated in over five business days from receiving that update:
1. Contact the USPS Consumer Affairs department
You can reach out to have USPS open up a case to locate your stuck shipment by:
- Calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)
- Visiting your local post office and speaking to a supervisor
- Submitting a case request online at https://usps.force.com/emailUs/s/
Be prepared that it may take some back-and-forth and patience on your end. Getting assistance on delayed packages is easier said than done.
2. Contact the Sender for Tracking/Documentation
It’s also a good idea to reach out to whoever sent you the package – whether a friend, relative, or online retailer. Request copies of any shipping receipts or customs documentation they have on file.
This information can help postal workers trace where your shipment got held up if documentation is missing or incorrect.
3. Check for Additional Updates 1-2 Times Per Day
While frustrating, your only option may be to keep checking for any new tracking updates once or twice per day. Sometimes, after being stuck for days, packages will randomly start showing movement again without any intervention on your part.
4. Be Persistent and Patient with USPS
Prepare for a potentially lengthy resolution process. Dealing with USPS customer service and locating lost or stuck packages requires incredible patience, diligence, and politeness on your end.
Don’t get discouraged if you get pawned off at first – USPS is unfortunately notorious for having poor customer service regarding delayed or missing international mail.
Key Takeaways: What Inbound Out of Customs Means
To summarize the key points about “Inbound Out of Customs” for USPS packages:
- All inbound international mail must pass through U.S. customs before continuing to destinations.
- “Inbound Out of Customs” means your package cleared inspection and left the ISC facility.
- Customs screens for illegal/dangerous contents and verifies paperwork is complete.
- Most packages breeze through within 24 hours, but some get held up for issues.
- Contact USPS if your package has been stuck on “Inbound Out of Customs” for over five days.
- After customs, the package moves to local sorting and delivery to your address.
