If your company is experiencing a problem with a foreign customs house, make sure you’ve correctly identified the problem. The most common customs-related problems are listed below:

• Misclassification
• Duties higher than anticipated
• Customs office won't clear the shipment to your buyer/importer
• Customs office invoking health, sanitary, or safety issues
• Labeling issues involving a certificate of origin, weight, ingredients, marks, etc.
• Inadequate documentation provided by the exporter
• Issues involving the import or packing regulations of the receiving country
  

To resolve customs problems, try the following:

• Involve the buyer/importer. Chances are they can help or at least find out what needs to be done to resolve the problem.
• Involve your shipping company. Most shippers are responsive to the customs problems faced by their customers.
• Involve your insurance company.
• Contact the foreign customs' office.
• Contact the Commercial Service office in the appropriate country.