Your AliExpress package has been travelling for weeks, and now the tracking shows “Started Customs Clearance Process.” It sounds official and slightly alarming — but for the overwhelming majority of orders, it is a routine step that resolves on its own within 24 to 72 hours. This guide explains exactly what is happening, how long it realistically takes, what the full sequence of customs statuses looks like, and when you actually need to take action.
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What “Started Customs Clearance Process” Actually Means
This status means your package has arrived in your destination country and has been handed to the customs authority for import processing. Customs will check the shipment documents, verify the declared value and contents, and determine whether any import taxes or duties apply before releasing the package to your local delivery carrier.
One important nuance that most guides miss: AliExpress sometimes triggers this status when the package is handed over to the customs office — not when customs staff have actually started working on it. The item may be sitting in a processing queue. This explains why the status can appear and then stay unchanged for a day or two even when there is no actual problem.
The Full Customs Status Sequence on AliExpress
Understanding where “Started Customs Clearance Process” fits in the full journey helps you interpret what comes before and after it.
| Tracking Status | What It Means | Action Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Arrived at destination country | Package landed in your country at the entry point (airport or seaport) | No |
| Started Customs Clearance Process | Package handed to customs — processing has begun or is queued | No — wait 24–72 hours |
| Import Clearance Failure | A problem was flagged — missing docs, unpaid duties, or restricted item | Sometimes — check for courier notification first |
| Customs Clearance Processing Complete / Customs Cleared | Package passed all checks and is being released to local carrier | No — delivery is coming |
| Package handed over after customs clearance | Local carrier has received the package for last-mile delivery | No |
| Arrived at local distribution center | Package is at a sorting facility in your city or region | No |
| Out for delivery / Delivered | On the delivery vehicle or already at your door | No |
Note: AliExpress’s tracker does not always update at every step. It is completely normal to see “Started Customs Clearance Process” and then jump directly to “Out for Delivery” or even “Delivered” with nothing in between. The intermediate steps happened — they just were not logged in the tracking system. Switch to 17Track or ParcelsApp for more granular updates if the AliExpress tracker goes quiet.
How Long Does Customs Clearance Take?
| Scenario | Typical Clearance Time |
|---|---|
| Standard small package, low value, complete documents | 24 to 72 hours |
| Busy period (AliExpress 11.11, holidays, Chinese New Year) | 3 to 10 days |
| High-value or large package selected for inspection | 3 to 7 days |
| Package flagged for Import Clearance Failure | Varies — may self-resolve in 1 to 3 days or require buyer action |
| Package genuinely held by customs pending payment/documents | Until you respond to the customs notice |
During peak shipping periods, customs facilities can become significantly backlogged. If you are ordering time-sensitive items for an event or occasion, place your AliExpress order well in advance — the customs queue during the holiday season can extend clearance by a week or more.
Which Packages Are More Likely to Be Inspected?
Most packages are not physically opened — they pass through automated X-ray scanning. Manual inspection is reserved for a small percentage, typically triggered by:
- High-value or heavy packages — electronics, bulk orders, shoes, or multiple items combined
- Incomplete or suspicious customs declarations — missing item descriptions or declared values that do not match market prices
- Restricted category items — batteries, liquids, laser devices, certain cosmetics, wireless electronics
- Undervalued packages — customs uses database comparisons; if the declared value looks low for the product type, it may be flagged
- Counterfeit goods — packages containing obvious branded fakes are routinely seized
If your package is selected for physical inspection, this does not automatically mean there is a problem. It may be a random check. The package is usually released after inspection within a few days.
What Happens If You See “Import Clearance Failure”
This sounds alarming but is often temporary. The most common cause — particularly for EU buyers — is a VAT payment timing issue: AliExpress submits VAT to customs in batches, and if your package arrives before that week’s payment clears, the system briefly flags it as unpaid. In these cases, the failure resolves automatically within 1 to 3 days without any action from you.
If the failure is genuine, customs or your courier will send you a notification — by post, email, or courier message — explaining what is needed. Common requests are:
- Proof of purchase (your AliExpress order invoice)
- Payment of import duties or VAT that were not prepaid
- Additional documentation for restricted item categories
Respond promptly to any customs notification. Ignoring it results in the package being returned to the sender or destroyed after a holding period, usually 15 to 30 days.
What to Do If the Status Has Not Changed for More Than 10 Days
- Check 17Track or ParcelsApp first — these platforms often show destination-country updates that AliExpress’s own tracker does not display. Your package may have already cleared customs and the status just has not updated.
- Check your email and physical mailbox for any notification from customs or your courier. If they need something from you, they will contact you — do not wait for AliExpress to tell you.
- Contact your local postal service or courier directly with your tracking number. They have direct access to customs status and can tell you specifically what is happening.
- Message the seller on AliExpress and ask them to contact the logistics provider on their end.
- Check your buyer protection expiry date. This is critical. If your protection period is approaching its end while the package is stuck in customs, extend it immediately from your order page — most sellers will approve a 20-day extension. Do not let the protection window expire while waiting for clearance. If it expires and the package later fails to arrive, your refund window is gone.
From our experience: A package we ordered sat on “Started Customs Clearance Process” for 11 days with no updates. After checking 17Track, we could see it had actually cleared customs on day 4 and was at a regional sorting center — the AliExpress tracker simply had not updated. It arrived on day 13. We never needed to contact anyone.
Should You Contact Customs Directly?
Only if your tracking specifically shows “Held by Customs” or “Import Clearance Failure” with no automatic resolution after 5 to 7 days, or if you have received an official notification requiring action. In all other cases, contacting customs directly does not speed anything up — the process is automated and handled between the logistics carrier and the customs office. Your local postal service or courier is a better first contact than customs itself.
How to Reduce Customs Delays on Future Orders
- Use AliExpress Standard Shipping over economy options — established carriers submit documentation correctly and have known customs procedures, which reduces clearance failures.
- For EU orders, confirm VAT was collected at checkout — if you see VAT on your AliExpress order summary, clearance should be automatic. If not, expect to pay at delivery for higher-value orders.
- Avoid sellers who offer to undervalue packages — this is customs fraud. It delays and risks your package rather than protecting it.
- Know your country’s restricted items list before ordering categories like batteries, wireless devices, cosmetics, or certain food supplements.
- Order early before major holidays — customs backlogs during peak periods are real and predictable. A week of buffer is worth it for time-sensitive purchases.
Final Thoughts
“Started Customs Clearance Process” is one of the most common AliExpress tracking statuses — and one of the least likely to indicate a real problem. For most small, low-value orders with complete documentation, it resolves within 24 to 72 hours automatically. The only time you need to act urgently is when your buyer protection period is close to expiring while the package is still in clearance. Extend it before it closes — that window is your safety net and cannot be reopened once gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Started Customs Clearance Process” the same as being held by customs?
No — these are two different statuses. “Started Customs Clearance Process” means processing has begun or is queued — it is the normal first step. “Held by Customs” means processing found an issue and the package is actively being detained pending payment or documentation. Most packages that show “Started Customs Clearance Process” never reach “Held by Customs” status.
My tracking shows “Started Customs Clearance Process” for 5 days — is that normal?
It can be, especially during busy periods or if there is a customs processing backlog. Check 17Track or ParcelsApp with your tracking number — these often show updates that AliExpress’s tracker does not. If there is no movement there either after 10 days, contact the seller and your local postal service.
Will my package definitely be delayed if it says “Import Clearance Failure”?
Not necessarily. If you paid VAT at checkout through AliExpress (common for EU buyers), the failure is usually a batch payment timing issue that self-resolves in 1 to 3 days. Check your email for any courier notification. If you receive one, follow its instructions promptly. If you receive nothing and it self-resolves, you will see the status update to “Customs Cleared.”
What happens to my buyer protection while the package is in customs?
Your buyer protection countdown continues regardless of where the package is. If the protection date is approaching while your package is stuck in customs, extend it from your AliExpress order page immediately. Most sellers approve extensions without issue. Do not let it expire while waiting — an expired protection window cannot be recovered.
Can I speed up the customs clearance process?
Not directly — customs processing is handled between the logistics carrier and the customs authority according to their own procedures and queue. What you can do is respond quickly to any notification requesting documents or payment, and use your local postal service as a contact point for status information. Contacting customs directly rarely accelerates the process for standard postal shipments.
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