A significant disadvantage of statuses in tracking orders from Aliexpress is that their meaning is not always obvious. Today we are going to discuss the status “Extended release date by customs, No bill”, which is obviously related to customs. However, what happens to a parcel being held by Customs is unclear. We will tell you if everything is OK with your order.
“Extended release date by customs, No bill” – what does it mean at Aliexpress
Your order is being held by Chinese customs. “Extended deadline” means that Customs has found a good reason to hold the parcel. Most often it is a question of extending the stay of the parcel at the Chinese service, and not a ban on sending it to to Europe or the USA. However, the probability of a ban is also present.
Let’s list a number of reasons why an order from AliExpress has been questioned:
- The accompanying documents have not been filled in correctly by the seller. The documentation relating to the purchased goods must be thoroughly checked at customs. In this case, the Chinese service will contact the seller. There is no reason for you to interfere in this process;
- The document shows the weight of the goods which does not correspond to the actual weight. Some buyers complain that the weight of the parcel has decreased at customs. It is not always the case that it is theft. It’s very likely that the delivery operator incorrectly reported the weight of the package when he received it from the seller. This may cause the parcel to take longer than usual to get through customs;
- The cost or weight of the parcel exceeds the allowable weight for onward shipment. A parcel weighing more than 50 kg and costing more than 1500 Euro will not be accepted. In such a case the item will be returned to the seller;
- You have ordered an item that is subject to a delivery ban in your country. There are many prohibited items, ranging from perishable to flammable goods. Confiscated or returned to the seller;
- The value of the goods is underestimated. Such a mistake, most likely intentional, could only be made by the seller. In the past, sellers would quote an undervalued item to avoid customs duty. Now such a scheme would not work. Because the Aliexpress marketplace transmits information on the value of the goods. As a result, if the seller has cheated, the deception will easily surface;
- You are required to pay customs duty. Let’s say you ordered appliances for €250 and the limit is €200. 50 euros will pop up, on which you will have to pay 15% duty. As mentioned above, underpricing the goods to avoid duty will not work;
- Customs has identified the parcel as a commercial parcel. It is not recommended to order a large consignment of identical goods. Because there may be suspicions that goods have been bought in China to be resold in your country by a private individual. This is a return of the parcel to the seller;
- This status pops up on orders whose delivery is handled by AliExpress Marketplace’s standard shipping service. This is the delivery method, which is the least likely to cause any problems for the buyers. But of course Standard Shipping can’t and has no right to protect your parcel from customs problems.
What to do if the deadline for release has been extended by Customs
If the cause of the delay is a technical failure or other malfunction of the logistics service, there is no way for the recipient to speed up the process of receiving his purchase. You should wait for about 1-3 days. If during this time the status of the parcel has not changed, it is reasonable to contact the retailer directly.
Another good idea is to call the Customs hotline of your country. If your purchase was sent by an international shipping company (EMS, IML, DHL, UPS and others) it is best to call their customer service first. However, such companies usually notify the recipient about the delay of the parcel via SMS to the left phone number or e-mail. The opposite situation occurs if the package is sent by the Postal Service – you should contact the post office to clarify the status yourself.
If none of the above has yielded any results, you can apply to the customs office. You have to have with you:
- Passport;
- An invoice from the seller;
- Documents that prove that the order has been paid (cheques);
- A photo of the goods ordered.
If the purchase has been made in the name of several individuals, copies of the passports of these people must also be provided. The applicant also fills in a questionnaire on the spot, which lists all the goods in the parcel and their intended use. When the reason for the delay at customs is that the weight limit is exceeded, the issue is resolved by paying the state duty.
How long to wait for the parcel
The question is ambiguous. As there is a possibility that your parcel will not go further because of the identified violation. It is possible that the status “Extended release date by customs, No bill” in the parcel tracking will last a few days, the parcel weight will be changed to the correct weight and the parcel will go on its way. You may be contacted to provide the buyer’s details or to pay the customs duty.
How long it will take for it to arrive depends on the buyer’s region. In the central part of Europe your order can be delivered within 14-20 days. If your order is not allowed to be shipped, alas, it will go back to the seller.
Time limits for storage of detained goods
Parcels held at the customs clearance points are temporarily stored there. The first 5 days are free of charge, and the following days are paid by the owner of the parcel. The maximum storage period is 14 calendar days. If the recipient has not contacted the customs office during this period and has not provided the requested explanation, the order is sent back to the seller.
If the package is delivered by airmail, the maximum storage period is increased to 30 calendar days.
What goods are banned from entering Europe
There are several types of goods that are banned from entering the European Union (EU) due to health, safety, and environmental concerns, as well as concerns over intellectual property rights.
Some examples of banned goods include:
- Counterfeit goods: Products that infringe intellectual property rights, such as fake designer clothes, bags, watches, and other accessories, are strictly prohibited from entering the EU.
- Hazardous chemicals: Chemical substances that pose a risk to human health or the environment, such as mercury, asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are banned from import into the EU.
- Endangered species: Products made from endangered species, such as ivory, rhino horn, and some types of timber, are prohibited from entering the EU.
- Weapons and ammunition: Any kind of firearm, explosive, or weapon, including replicas, are not allowed to be imported into the EU without the appropriate licenses and permits.
- Certain food items: Some food products, such as meat and dairy, are restricted or banned from entering the EU due to concerns over animal health and welfare, as well as food safety.
- Drugs and narcotics: Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, are strictly prohibited from entering the EU.
It’s important to note that the list of banned goods may vary depending on the country within the EU and can change over time based on new regulations and emerging concerns. It’s always a good idea to check with local authorities or a qualified customs broker to determine whether your goods are permitted for import into the EU.
What goods are banned from entering USA
The United States has restrictions on several types of goods that are prohibited from entering the country due to various reasons, including public health, safety, and national security concerns. Some examples of goods that are banned from entering the USA include:
- Illicit drugs: The import of illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and heroin is strictly prohibited by law. Prescription drugs that are not approved by the FDA are also prohibited.
- Counterfeit products: The import of counterfeit products is illegal in the USA. This includes goods that infringe on trademark, copyright, and patent laws such as knockoff designer handbags, watches, and other fashion accessories.
- Obscene and immoral articles: The import of obscene materials such as pornography, child pornography, and other illicit items that violate public decency standards are strictly prohibited.
- Certain fruits, vegetables, and plants: Certain fruits, vegetables, and plants are banned from importation into the USA to prevent the spread of plant diseases and pests. Examples of banned items include citrus fruits from China and some types of mangoes from India.
- Certain animal products: The import of certain animal products such as ivory, rhino horn, and some types of fur and feathers are prohibited due to concerns over wildlife conservation.
- Weapons and ammunition: The import of firearms, explosives, and other weapons is restricted and requires appropriate licenses and permits.
It is important to note that the list of banned items is not exhaustive, and there may be other restrictions or regulations on certain products. It is always advisable to check with US Customs and Border Protection or a qualified customs broker to determine whether your goods are permitted for import into the USA.
Conclusion
If a purchase from abroad is delayed at the border and marked “Extended release date by customs”, this does not mean that it is impossible to receive it. In most cases, such a problem is solved in a few days. The main thing is to apply to the relevant organisations in time and provide the necessary documents.
