Why International Tracking Feels Unpredictable

Tracking a domestic package is fairly straightforward — but once a shipment crosses a border, the experience changes. Updates may stop for days, tracking numbers sometimes switch between systems, and status messages like "Clearance in Progress" or "Import Customs" appear without much explanation. This guide demystifies the international shipping and tracking process from start to finish.

How International Tracking Works

When a package ships internationally, it typically passes through multiple parties:

  1. Origin carrier — picks up the package in the sender's country (e.g., DHL, FedEx, local post)
  2. Export customs — the package is logged and cleared to leave the origin country
  3. Air or sea freight — the package travels to the destination country, often with no tracking updates during transit
  4. Import customs — the package clears the destination country's customs agency
  5. Destination carrier — a local carrier (e.g., USPS in the US, Royal Mail in the UK) handles last-mile delivery

Because different carriers and agencies handle each step, the tracking number may be readable by multiple systems — or require switching to a different tracking page for the final leg.

Common International Tracking Statuses Explained

  • Departed Country of Origin: The package has left the sender's country. Transit time now begins.
  • In Transit / En Route: The shipment is moving via air or sea. No scan updates are normal during this phase.
  • Arrived at Destination Country: The package has landed in your country and will enter customs.
  • Import Customs / Clearance in Progress: Customs authorities are reviewing the shipment. This is standard and can take a few hours to several days.
  • Customs Cleared: The package has passed inspection and will be transferred to the domestic carrier.
  • Held by Customs: Action may be needed — duties owed, missing documentation, or prohibited items.
  • Delivered to Postal Service: The package has been handed to the local postal carrier for final delivery.

Best Tools for Tracking International Packages

Because international shipments often switch carriers, standard carrier sites may stop showing updates mid-journey. These tools aggregate tracking across global carriers:

  • 17Track (17track.net) — One of the most comprehensive international trackers, supporting thousands of carriers and postal services worldwide.
  • Parcel Monitor — Tracks shipments from major global carriers with estimated delivery dates.
  • Package Radar — Good for European-origin shipments and marketplace orders.
  • AfterShip — Widely used by e-commerce merchants, also available to consumers. Tracks 900+ carriers.

Enter your original tracking number into any of these platforms and they will often locate the shipment across multiple carrier handoffs.

Understanding Customs Delays

Customs holds are the most common reason international shipments are delayed. Here's what typically triggers them:

  • Duties and taxes owed — Your country may levy import taxes based on the declared value of the goods.
  • Missing or inaccurate customs form — Incorrect descriptions, missing HS codes, or mismatched values can flag a shipment.
  • Restricted or prohibited items — Certain products face restrictions (e.g., food, electronics, cosmetics) depending on the destination country.
  • Random inspection — Customs agencies periodically inspect shipments at random. Nothing is wrong; it just adds time.

What to Do if Your International Package Is Stuck in Customs

  1. Wait 5–7 business days before escalating — routine clearance rarely takes longer.
  2. Check if a customs duty payment is required. The carrier or customs agency may have sent you a notification.
  3. Contact the sender to verify the customs declaration was completed correctly.
  4. Reach out to the carrier's international customer support team for a status update.
  5. Contact your national customs agency directly if the package is held longer than 2 weeks.

Tips for Smoother International Tracking

  • Save both the origin and destination tracking numbers if provided — you may need both.
  • Use a universal tracker like 17Track from day one to avoid gaps in updates.
  • Allow extra time during holiday seasons — customs volumes surge in November and December.
  • Check your destination country's customs thresholds — below a certain value, many shipments clear without duty.

International shipping involves more steps and more uncertainty than domestic delivery, but understanding each stage makes the process far less stressful.