Parcel from UK Held by Customs — What to Do? Guide 2026

Why Is a Parcel from the UK Held by Customs?

A parcel from the UK is held by Polish customs authorities or the customs and tax office when it requires a customs declaration and payment of duties: import duty and/or VAT. This is a direct result of the UK becoming a third country for EU customs purposes in 2021. Not every parcel is physically detained — many pass through simplified clearance — but if your purchase exceeds the customs thresholds or requires documentation, your carrier will notify you that action is needed.

Most Common Reasons a Parcel from the UK Is Held

<p>1. <strong>Value exceeds EUR 150</strong> — above this threshold, full customs clearance with duty and VAT is required. Below EUR 150: no duty, but 23% VAT may still apply.</p><p>2. <strong>Incomplete customs declaration from the sender</strong> — the UK seller did not fill in form CN22 or CN23 correctly. Customs holds the parcel pending clarification.</p><p>3. <strong>Goods subject to controls or licences</strong> — some categories (electronics with certification, supplements, cosmetics, phones with an unspecified HS code) may require additional documents for import into the EU.</p><p>4. <strong>Suspected undervaluation</strong> — if the declared value on the parcel (e.g. "gift, value £10") does not match the actual purchase price, customs may query the value and request supporting documents.</p><p>Legal basis: GOV.UK — Customs Duty on goods sent from abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/customs-duty-on-goods-sent-from-abroad), PUESC — (https://puesc.gov.pl/).</p>

What "Held by Customs" Means in a Carrier Notification

<p>A message from DHL, UPS, InPost, Polish Post or FedEx saying your parcel is "held by customs" normally means one of three things: (1) the carrier is waiting for your consent and payment of duty/VAT before delivery (most likely for ordinary UK purchases); (2) documentation is missing — the carrier will ask you to provide a purchase invoice; (3) the goods have actually been stopped by the National Revenue Administration (KAS) for further inspection.</p><p>In every case: respond to the carrier's message as quickly as possible and supply any requested documents. The faster you act, the sooner your parcel arrives.</p>

What If the Parcel Has Been Seized or Confiscated by KAS?

<p>Actual seizure (confiscation) of a parcel by the National Revenue Administration (KAS) or Border Guard is rare for ordinary consumer purchases. It happens mainly when goods are prohibited (counterfeit, under sanctions), the customs declaration contains serious falsifications, or the shipment is part of an investigation.</p><p>If you receive an official letter from KAS about seizure of your goods — you have the right to challenge that decision. More: GOV.UK — If your goods are seized by HMRC (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/if-your-goods-are-seized-by-hmrc-border-force) covers the UK side — for the Polish side, contact PUESC (puesc.gov.pl) or a customs broker.</p>

How to Pay Duty and Collect a Parcel from the UK — Step by Step

Once the carrier notifies you that customs fees are due, you have several options. The quickest and most convenient is payment via the link provided by the carrier. If you are unsure about the amount, you have the right to verify it before paying. Both scenarios are described below.

Pay Online via the Carrier's Link — Fastest Method

<p>DHL, UPS, FedEx and most Polish Post services send an SMS or email with a payment link. You click it, see a breakdown: duty + VAT + carrier handling fee (disbursement fee). Pay by card or bank transfer — the parcel is released and normally reaches you within 1–2 working days.</p><p>Before paying, check: are the amounts reasonable (VAT 23% of the customs value + duty according to the product category)? If the total seems too high — do not pay immediately; ask for a "customs duty breakdown" (itemised statement).</p>

How to Check the Accuracy of the Duty Amount Charged by the Carrier

<p>Step 1: Ask the carrier for the customs declaration number (SAD) and an itemised fee breakdown.</p><p>Step 2: Look up the duty rate for your product in TARIC: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/calculation-customs-duties/customs-tariff/eu-customs-tariff-taric_en.</p><p>Step 3: Calculate yourself: customs value (price + shipping) × duty rate = duty. (customs value + duty) × 23% = VAT. If the figures match — pay. If not — lodge an appeal with the carrier or directly through PUESC.</p><p>Still unsure? Contact Easy Clearance: WhatsApp <a href="https://wa.me/447404091503?text=Parcel+held+UK+customs&utm_source=easyclearance.pl&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=paczka-z-uk-zatrzymana-co-robic-2026">+44 7404 091503</a> — we will check the documents for you.</p>

Submitting a Customs Declaration Yourself via PUESC

<p>If you want to avoid the carrier's handling fee, you can submit a customs declaration yourself through PUESC (the Polish Electronic Customs and Tax Services Platform): https://puesc.gov.pl/. This requires registration and knowledge of customs procedure — for a one-off consumer purchase it is often more cost-effective to simply pay the carrier's fee.</p><p>Alternatively: Polish Post offers customs clearance of postal parcels from the UK at post offices — you collect the parcel at the customs office and pay duty in person. Waiting times may be longer than with an online payment.</p>

Deadlines and Consequences — What Happens If You Do Not Act

Your parcel is waiting for you, but not indefinitely. If you do not respond to the carrier's notice or pay the duty within the deadline, serious consequences may follow: from destruction of the goods to return to sender or forfeiture. Here are the exact timeframes you need to know.

30 Days to Collect a Parcel Held by Customs

<p>The standard storage period for a parcel held by customs or a carrier is 30 days from the date of detention (or from the date of the first notification). After this, the parcel may be: returned to the sender in the UK (if the carrier can return it), destroyed at the importer's cost, or subject to disposal procedures for uncollected goods.</p><p>In practice: respond to the carrier's notice as quickly as possible — do not wait until the last day. The longer the parcel sits in customs storage, the higher the storage fees (storage fee) that the carrier may add.</p>

You Can Refuse a Parcel from the UK — When This Makes Sense

<p>If the duty amount is higher than the goods are worth to you, or you decide the purchase was a mistake, you can refuse delivery. The parcel will be returned to the sender in the UK. Then: submit a return request on the shopping platform (Amazon, eBay, online store). Most platforms protect buyers who refuse delivery due to unexpected customs charges.</p><p>Refuse in writing (email to the carrier with the parcel number) and keep your documents. If a customs declaration has already been submitted, duty and VAT may be payable even if you refuse delivery. Consult a customs broker if in doubt.</p>

What to Do When After 30 Days You Receive No Reply from the Carrier or Parcel

<p>If 30 days have passed since the parcel was held and there is no information from the carrier: lodge an official complaint with the carrier (track and trace + complaint). Download any customs declaration documents the carrier holds — these are your proof of proceedings. If the carrier does not respond, file a complaint with UOKiK or the Polish Consumer Ombudsman.</p><p>If you have problems with customs clearance on the Polish side, contact PUESC (puesc.gov.pl) or a customs broker. Easy Clearance can check whether the customs declaration was correctly submitted: WhatsApp <a href="https://wa.me/447404091503?text=Parcel+UK+held+30+days&utm_source=easyclearance.pl&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=paczka-z-uk-zatrzymana-co-robic-2026">+44 7404 091503</a> or tel. +44 7404 091503.</p>

When a Parcel from the UK Will NOT Be Held — and What to Expect

Not every parcel from the UK is held. Many shipments below EUR 150 cross the border without issue, provided the sender has correctly completed the customs documents. Below we explain when you can expect smooth delivery — and when customs charges are almost certain.

Parcels with a Low Risk of Being Held

<p>Lower risk: parcels below EUR 150 with a correctly completed CN22/CN23 declaration, sent by large retailers or platforms (Amazon, official brand stores) with clearly described contents. Many larger stores use simplified group clearance or DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — in which case customs costs are included in the purchase price and the parcel goes straight to your door.</p><p>Always ask the seller before buying: "Does the price include duty and VAT for delivery to Poland?" or "Do you ship DDP to PL?" — this is the simplest way to avoid surprises.</p>

Parcels with a High Risk of Being Held and Additional Charges

<p>Higher risk: parcels over EUR 150 (almost certain to go through customs), goods with high duty rates (clothing, alcohol, tobacco), goods subject to import licences or certificates (e.g. some dietary supplements, radio equipment), shipments from unknown sellers with incomplete documentation.</p><p>Before such a purchase it is worth: calculating the customs costs, making sure the seller will correctly complete the customs documents, or considering buying through a Polish intermediary that handles B2B collections from the UK. Questions? Contact Easy Clearance before you buy — tel. +44 7404 091503.</p>

What the current rules say

A parcel from the UK held by customs most often means import duty and 23% VAT are due — this is a normal procedure for imports from a third country. You have 30 days to act — respond to the carrier's notice as quickly as possible and verify the amounts before paying. If you are unsure about the duty amount or the parcel has been held for several days with no response from the carrier, Easy Clearance will check the customs documents and advise on next steps. This article reflects the legal position as of 2026-04-18. Contact a customs broker before taking action.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Why has my parcel from the UK been held at the border?

Most common reasons: the parcel's value exceeds EUR 150 (full customs clearance required), incomplete declaration from the sender, the goods require additional documents, or suspected undervaluation. Usually it is enough to pay the duty and VAT through the carrier.

How long do I have to collect a held parcel from the UK?

Typically 30 days from the date of detention or notification. After that the parcel may be returned to the sender or destroyed. Respond to the carrier's notices as quickly as possible.

How do I pay duty on a parcel from the UK?

The carrier sends an SMS or email with a payment link. Check the amount before paying (compare with TARIC) and pay by card or bank transfer. You can also submit the declaration yourself through PUESC (puesc.gov.pl).

What should I do if the duty amount seems too high?

Ask the carrier for an itemised breakdown (customs duty breakdown) with the customs declaration number. Compare with TARIC for your HS code. If you find an error, lodge an appeal with the carrier or contact PUESC. You can also contact Easy Clearance — WhatsApp +44 7404 091503.

Can I refuse a parcel from the UK and get a refund?

Yes — you can refuse delivery. The parcel will be returned to the sender. Then submit a return request on the shopping platform (Amazon, eBay). Refuse in writing and keep your documents. If a customs declaration has already been submitted, duty may still be payable.

Can a parcel from the UK be destroyed by customs?

Yes, but this is a last resort. It typically happens after the storage period expires (around 30 days) or when goods are prohibited. For normal consumer purchases, responding to the carrier's notice in time is sufficient.

Official sources

• GOV.UK — If your goods are seized by HMRC Border Force — GOV.UK
• GOV.UK — Customs Duty on goods sent from abroad — GOV.UK
• PUESC — customs clearance of postal parcels — PUESC
• podatki.gov.pl — import duties — Ministry of Finance
• EU Customs Tariff TARIC — EC TAXUD