What Does “Held at Customs” Actually Mean in Canada?

Few phrases trigger more anxiety than this one:

“Your shipment is held at customs.”

People often react by assuming:

• Something is wrong
• The shipment has been seized
• They did something illegal
• Nothing can be done

In reality, “held at customs,” or “selected for customs examination,” or “held for customs inspection” in Canada usually means something much more specific and much less dramatic. This post explains what a customs hold actually means, based on how these situations tend to play out.

First: “Held” Does Not Mean “Seized”

This is the most essential clarification. When a shipment is marked as held at customs, it usually means:

• CBSA cannot complete clearance yet
• They need more information, clarification, or verification

It does not automatically mean:

• The shipment is confiscated
• The goods are prohibited
• You’re in trouble

Most held shipments are released once the underlying issue is resolved.

Why Shipments Are Placed on Hold

Shipments are most often held because CBSA needs one or more of the following:

1. Clarification on the Goods

If CBSA cannot clearly determine:

• What the goods are
• How they should be classified
• Whether they are admissible

They will place the shipment on hold until those questions are answered. This commonly happens with vague descriptions. Many “held for inspection” cases start with something as simple as CBSA not being able to tell precisely what the product is.

2. Issues With the Commercial Invoice

Invoice-related holds are extremely common. CBSA may place a hold if:

• The invoice is missing
• The invoice is incomplete
• The value doesn’t align with the goods
• Buyer or importer details are unclear

From the importer’s perspective, this often feels sudden, even though the issue existed from the start.

3. Importer of Record Is Unclear

If CBSA cannot clearly identify who is responsible for the shipment, clearance stops. Holds occur when:

• Importer details are missing or incorrect
• The importer did not realize they were listed
• Responsibility is disputed between the parties

Until this is resolved, CBSA cannot proceed. Under CARM, holds can also occur if the importer is not correctly registered or has not delegated broker authority in the Client Portal.

4. CBSA Needs Additional Documentation

Some shipments require more than a basic invoice. CBSA may place a hold while waiting for:

• Supporting documents
• Compliance confirmations
• Proof of origin
• Additional declarations

The shipment remains on hold until CBSA receives what it needs. This is especially common when Other Government Departments (OGDs) / Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) are involved, such as Health Canada, CFIA, or Transport Canada.

5. The Shipment Is Selected for Inspection or Review

Some shipments are held because they are selected for:

• Inspection
• Secondary review
• Additional verification

This does not necessarily mean something is wrong. It means CBSA needs more confidence before releasing the goods. In carrier tracking systems, this may appear as “held for inspection” or “selected for customs examination,” even when no violation is suspected.

Why Status Updates Don’t Explain the Hold

One of the biggest frustrations importers express is:

“The status just says ‘held’ and nothing else.”

Status messages usually indicate where the shipment is in the process, not why it’s there. They rarely explain:

• What CBSA needs
• Who should respond
• How long will it take

That information usually has to be obtained separately. Carriers may use terms such as “pending customs clearance,” “release pending,” or “documentation required,” but the outcome is the same: CBSA cannot complete clearance yet.‍

How Long Can a Shipment Be Held?

There is no fixed timeline. A shipment can be held:

• Briefly, if clarification is quick
• For several days, if documents need correction
• Longer, if responsibility or compliance issues are unresolved

In almost every case, the length of the hold depends on how quickly the underlying issue is addressed.

What Actually Gets a Shipment Released

Shipments are released when:

• CBSA receives clear, complete information
• Documents are corrected consistently
• The importer's responsibility is established
• Duties and taxes are addressed
  

Time alone does not release a held shipment. Action does.

What Usually Makes Holds Last Longer

Based on real outcomes, holds tend to drag on when:

• No one is clearly responsible
• CBSA requests go unanswered
• Documents are corrected inconsistently
• People wait instead of responding

Most long holds trace back to communication or documentation gaps. Changes to paperwork after shipping can also increase scrutiny and extend a hold, because CBSA may treat amendments as a compliance risk indicator.

The Most Important Takeaway

In Canada, “held at customs” usually means:

• Clearance is incomplete
• CBSA needs something clarified
• The process cannot move forward yet

It does not automatically mean the shipment is lost or seized. Most held shipments are released once the real issue is identified and resolved.

Many holds are tied to unresolved duties, taxes, or surcharges.

Check your estimated costs with BorderBuddy’s duty & tax calculator to identify potential issues. BorderBuddy’s calculator also uses AI to help classify goods under the correct HS (Harmonized System) code, a key factor in determining the duty rate applied to an import.

What to Read Next

People who see a “held at customs” status usually ask next:

• Why shipments get stuck at Canadian customs?
• Why does CBSA ask for more information after submission?
• How long does Canada customs clearance really take?
• What happens during a CBSA inspection? (coming soon)

Still Need Help With Your Import?

If you still didn’t find what you were looking for, BorderBuddy is here to help.

• Call us at 1 (877) 409-8163
• Or email us anytime at service@borderbuddy.com

Our team can help you get clear answers and avoid delays at the border.